Pirates and Sundowns shocked in Nedbank Cup

By Razeen Gutta

The Nedbank Cup round of 16 delivered two stunning upsets on Saturday.

At Orlando’s Amstel Arena, Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars held Orlando Pirates to a 0-0 draw before triumphing 5‑4 in a penalty shootout.

Captain Sphamandla Mlilo kicked things off well and goalkeeper Wandile Mthombeni’s crucial saves, including a near‑post stop on Kamogelo Sebelebele, kept Casric alive.

After both sides traded misses, Zebulon Mtshweni’s decisive penalty sent the Buccaneers crashing out, ending their cup hopes.

Casric now await their quarter‑final draw and will return to league action against The Bees on Friday.

Meanwhile, at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, TS Galaxy stunned Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2‑0 victory.

Siphamandla Ngwenya intercepted a sloppy pass and fired home from the edge of the box before Junior Zindoga converted a penalty.

Masandawana’s attempts to respond were thwarted by goalkeeper Ira Tape, who made several key saves, sealing Galaxy’s place in the last eight.

Both underdogs now look ahead to their next challenges, while the eliminated giants shift focus to league duties.

In the weekend’s other cup results, Amazulu beat Richards Bay, Durban edged Upington City on penalties and Sekhunene overcame University of Pretoria.

Stellenbosch, who beat Kaizer Chiefs in the last round, were eliminated by Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Pictured above: Pirates were sent crashing out

Source: @orlandopirates