(The Post News)- Orlando Pirates’ reign as the dominant force in domestic cup competitions came to an abrupt end on Saturday, as they suffered a stunning 3-2 loss to Magesi FC in the opening round of the Carling Knockout Cup. The match, played at Orlando Stadium, saw the underdog visitors pull off a remarkable upset, sending shockwaves throughout the South African football community.
Entering the match as heavy favorites, Pirates carried the weight of being the reigning “Cup Kings,” having secured five domestic titles under coach Jose Riveiro. Their confidence was bolstered by a 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final just before the international break. However, Magesi, making their debut in top-flight domestic cups under head coach Clinton Larsen, had other plans.
The visitors struggled to gain possession in the early stages, but found the breakthrough when Delano Abrahams headed home from close range in the 32nd minute. Things took a turn for the worse for Pirates just five minutes later when Thabiso Sesane inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, doubling Magesi’s lead.
As Pirates scrambled to recover, disaster struck again just before halftime when they conceded a penalty. Although Sipho Chaine saved Edmore Chirambadare’s initial attempt, Chirambadare pounced on the rebound, extending Magesi’s lead to 3-0 at the break.
In response, Riveiro made significant changes at halftime, bringing on Mohau Nkota for Monnapule Saleng and substituting Evidence Makgopa and Patrick Maswanganyi for Selaelo Rasebotja and Karim Kimvuidi. Despite their aggressive pursuit of goals, Pirates struggled to find the net, with Tshegofatso Mabasa hitting the crossbar from close range.
Finally, with just five minutes remaining, Kabelo Dlamini scored, igniting hopes among the home fans. The atmosphere intensified even more when Makgopa added a second goal for Pirates just two minutes before full-time. However, it was too late for a full comeback, as Magesi held firm to secure a historic victory in Soweto.
Magesi’s win propels them into the quarter-finals, joining Stellenbosch, who advanced after defeating AmaZulu 2-1 in extra time at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday.
“We didn’t expect this result, but we worked hard and took our chances,” said Magesi FC head coach Clinton Larsen. “Our players showed incredible character and determination.”
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro reflected on the defeat, saying, “We didn’t start well, and Magesi punished us. We created chances but couldn’t capitalize. We’ll learn from this and move forward.”
This stunning upset serves as a reminder that, in football, anything can happen on any given day. As the Carling Knockout Cup progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and unexpected surprises.
The defeat raises questions about Orlando Pirates’ ability to maintain their dominance in domestic cup competitions. With this loss, they will have to regroup and focus on their league campaign.
For Magesi FC, this victory marks a significant milestone in their history. They will look to build on this momentum as they continue their journey in the Carling Knockout Cup.
As the dust settles on this shocking upset, one thing is clear: Magesi FC has announced their arrival on the South African football scene, and they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
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