Pirates send Cosmos packing

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates send Jomo Cosmos packing from the Nedbank Cup after beating them 3-1 in a Last 16 match at Olen Park on Sunday afternoon.

A brace from Tendai Ndoro was the difference on the day and saw Pirates into the quarterfinals of the competition while Charlton Mashumba was in fine form for the losing Cosmos

The Buccaneers started positively and opened the scoring in the third minute after Ndoro headed home a deep right-wing cross from Rooi Mahamutsa, 1-0.

Cosmos tried to find their way back into the match and came close to levelling matters in the 18^th minute when Maluleka broke into the box, but he saw his 14-yard effort superbly saved by the keeper.

Five minutes later Cosmos did find the equaliser when Charlton Mashumba fired the ball into the top right corner from 25-yards out, 1-1.

Pirates controlled the remainder of the half and re-took the lead in the dying seconds of the stanza when Luvuyo Memela headed home a right-sided free-kick from Mpho Makola, 2-1.

Ndoro found his second of the goal game in three minutes into the half                as he superbly turned home a left-wing cross from Thabo Rakhale from ten-yards out, 3-1.

Ayanda Gcaba came close to scoring for the Buccaneers in the 72^nd minute when he met a good cross into the box, but his header went wide of the target.

In the 80^th minute Mashumba nearly pulled a goal back for Cosmos, but his shot from distance was well-saved by the keeper. 

In the end Cosmos could not break down the Pirates defence as they held on for a comfortable win.