Carling Knockout shock as Magesi humble SA cup kings Orlando Pirates in five-goal thriller

Magesi FC stunned South African football when they beat Orlando Pirates in the first round of the Carling Cup on Saturday. Picture: @OfficialPSL on X

Magesi FC stunned South African football when they beat Orlando Pirates in the first round of the Carling Cup on Saturday. Picture: @OfficialPSL on X

Published Oct 19, 2024

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Magesi FC produced the biggest upset of the season this far when they dumped cup kings Orlando Pirates out of the Carling Knockout with a 3-2 first-round win at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Magesi had to weather a massive second-half storm after taking a shock 3-0 lead into the break. After a long period of sustained pressure, Pirates managed to get two goals back in the final five minutes of regulation time to give them a chance to take the game into the extra-time.

The Bucs then had the ball in the back of net in stoppage time, but Mohau Nkotaโ€™s goal was correctly ruled offside by the assistant referee.

Newly-promoted Magesi were making their debut in the competition against a Pirates team who won the MTN8 tournament before the international break.

But Magesi didnโ€™t look overawed by the occasion, as they backed themselves in the first half and pressured Pirates high up the field.

They opened the scoring in 33rd minute when Delano Abrahams headed home from close range to silence the Pirates faithful.

The visitors then doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Thabiso Sesane deflected the ball into his own net.

Magesi were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Edmore Chirambadareโ€™s initial shot was saved by Sipho Chaine in the Piratse goal, but the Magesi player pounced on the rebound to slot home and give his team an unfathomable 3-0 lead at the break.

Pirates pushed hard in the second half and were rewarded in the 86th minute when Kabelo Dlamini slotted home.

Bafana Bafana striker Evidence Makgopa then made it 3-2 in the final minute of regulation time to give Pirates some hope of at least taking the game to extra time in the five additional minutes that were added on.

However, Magesi managed to hold on for one of the biggest wins in their history.

Meanwhile, Marumo Gallants also booked their place in the next round of the competition when they beat Polokwane City 3-2 away from home at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

@JohnGoliath82