Orlando Pirates proved too strong for Crystal Lake after cruising to a 6-0 win in the Nedbank Cup last 32 on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro decided against wholesale changes but did hand new signing Thalente Mbatha his first start since joining in January.
The Buccaneers grabbed the lead four minutes in when Lake struggled to deal with an in-swinging corner-kick and allowed Olisa Ndah to bundle the ball home.
Lake remained under the visitors’ spell and conceded a penalty from a rash challenge through an awkward angle on Makgopa, which Thapelo Xoki tucked in with ease.
Young Relebohile Mofokeng got his name on the score-sheet when he made a short run-up to the far side of the box and fired in at the near post via a deflection.
Pirates were denied a fourth goal from more uncertain defending through close-range chances from Innocent Maela and Makgopa, but the post and goal-line clearances denied them.
However, it wasn’t a problem as the visitors still added a fourth when Maswanganyi volleyed in the bottom-corner from Mofokeng’s well-weighted pass.
Lake introduced a change as goalkeeper Excellent Mkhonto couldn’t carry on playing and had Mfuso Mabunda come on ten minutes towards the halftime break.
Riveiro made a substitution of his own following the interval, with James Monyane withdrawn for January signing Thabiso Lebitso, who made his debut last weekend against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pirates didn’t take the foot of the accelerator and added a fifth goal moments in when Xoki completed a brace after rising high to head in a corner.
Mabunda was on the edge again midway through the half where he needed to come out of his area and narrow substitute Vincent Pule profiting a one-on-one.
Tshegofatso Mabasa gave the Buccaneers a sixth goal in the final 12 minutes with a smart header out on the near post following clever bit of play.
Crystal Lake looked for a consolation in the closing stages, but solid goalkeeping from Sipho Chaine denied as the defending champions cruised to a comfortable victory.
Confirmed line-ups:
Crystal Lake: Mkhonto, Ngobeni, Khumalo, Mhlanga, Thethe, Nkuna, Ndlovu, Mashego, Khoza, Mathebula, Silaule
Subs: Mabunda, Sambo, Khosa, Nkuna, Mnisi, N. Mathebula, Manana, Mathebula, Shongwe
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Monyane, Xoki, Ndah, Maela, Makhaula, Thalente, Kimvuidi, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Pule, Lebitso, Kapinga, Mabasa, Ndlondlo, Monare, Hotto, Sibisi
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