Orlando Pirates became the first big-name casualty in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals after they lost to Richards Bay on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra-time at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Jose Riveiro’s side battled to carve out many clear-cut chances in Durban, with Deon Hotto coming closest to breaking the deadlock in regulation time when his shot struck the left post at the end of the first half.
The Natal Rich Boyz would emerge triumphant in the spot-kick lottery to advance to the semifinals as the Buccaneers’ dreams of a second trophy this season were dashed.
Richards Bay were hoping to take advantage of Pirates’ poor form after the Soweto giants extended their winless run to three games following a 2-1 defeat to Cape Town City in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday.
But the KZN outfit were struggling for results themselves, having picked up a solitary win from their opening 10 league matches.
They didn’t create any notable chances in the first half, with Boikanyo Komane and Abel Mabaso both failing to test Melusi Buthelezi from range early on, while the Sea Robbers hit the target just once.
Monnapule Saleng went close with a strike from inside the box on the right that flew narrowly wide of the left post on 27 minutes and the winger managed to force a good save out of Philasande Manqele from the opposite end of the 18-yard area in the 42nd minute.
Kaitano Tembo’s side were fortunate not to be behind at the break after Hotto ratted the frame of the goal with an effort from inside the box on the stroke of halftime.
Chances remained at a premium in the second half, although the hosts managed to fashion a decent opportunity in 63rd minute when Yamela Mbuthuma steered a header straight at Buthelezi.
They kept the visitors at bay though, to take the cup-tie to extra-time. However, the spectators continued to be starved of any real action until the 114th minute when Zakhele Lepasa lined up a shot from outside the box was comfortably saved by Manqele.
Komane then threatened at the other end three minutes later as his shot from long range was kept out by Buthelezi and after 120 minutes of goalless football, penalties were needed to separate the two teams.
Manqele saved the first spot-kick from Hotto before Komane, Tshepo Mabua, Sinethemba Mngomezulu, Mbuthuma and Simphiwe Mcineka all held their nerve from 12 yards out to hand the Natal Rich Boyz a 5-4 win in the shootout.
Richards Bay (0) 0
Orlando Pirates (0) 0
Richards Bay: P. Manqele, R. Dlamini (L. Mabuya 87′), S. Mthethwa, S. Mcineka, T. Mabua, T. Gumede (T. Mohlamme 105′), M. Miya (L. Mhlongo 46′), B. Komane, A. Mabaso (M. Mthembu 46′), S. Ntsundwana (S. Mngomezulu 99′), Y. Mbuthuma.
Orlando Pirates: M. Buthelezi, B. Shandu (T. Monyane 105′), N. Sibisi (O. Ndah 105′), T. Xoki, D. Hotto, T. Lorch (N. Ndlondlo 90+1′), M. Timm, P. Maswanganyi, M. Saleng (R. Mofokeng 60′), E. Makgopa (Z. Lepasa 72′), K. Erasmus (K. Kimvuidi 60′).
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