Pirates beat TTM 4-1 to advance to Round 16 in Nedbank Cup, as Orlando Pirates produced a commanding display to overpower Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in their Nedbank Cup encounter on Saturday afternoon at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The Soweto giants showcased depth, composure, and attacking quality as they cruised into the Last 16, with January signing Andre de Jong marking his debut start with a goal, while several squad players impressed in a dominant cup performance.
Orlando Pirates vs Tshakhuma TTM: Nedbank Cup Last 16 Clash
The Orlando Pirates vs Tshakhuma TTM fixture was always expected to test the Buccaneers’ squad depth, and head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made several changes to his starting XI. New signings Andre de Jong and Mpho Chabatsane earned their first starts, while goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi was handed his first appearance of the season.
Pirates wasted little time asserting their authority in this Nedbank Cup Last 16 battle, controlling possession and pressing Tshakhuma deep inside their own half from the opening exchanges.
Andre de Jong Debut Goal Sets the Tone
Pirates’ early dominance paid off in the 10th minute when Oswin Appollis was brought down inside the penalty area. Andre de Jong stepped up confidently, converting from the spot to register his Andre de Jong debut goal and open his account for the club.
The goal settled any nerves and allowed Pirates to dictate the tempo, with Tshakhuma struggling to cope with the Buccaneers’ quick passing and movement in midfield.
Pirates 4-1 Victory Built on Midfield Control
Just seven minutes after taking the lead, Pirates doubled their advantage through Thalente Mbatha, whose powerful long-range effort took a decisive deflection before finding the bottom corner. The Tshakhuma goalkeeper was left wrong-footed as Pirates surged into a commanding position.
Mbatha nearly grabbed a second moments later, unleashing another effort from distance, but this time his shot was well smothered by Lebohang Mohale.
Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, Tshakhuma showed resilience and pulled a goal back in the 38th minute. Sithembiso Ngobe curled a superb free-kick from a tight angle that beat the wall and crept in at the near post, giving Buthelezi no chance.
Second-Half Changes Pay Off for Pirates
Pirates responded decisively after the break. Coach Ouaddou introduced Patrick Maswanganyi and Daniel Msendami, replacing De Jong and Tshepang Moremi in attack.
The substitutions proved inspired, as Pirates restored their two-goal cushion just five minutes into the second half. Maswanganyi exchanged passes neatly with Yanela Mbuthuma before calmly side-footing the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.
This moment effectively ended Tshakhuma’s hopes of a comeback, as Pirates tightened their grip on the match.
Late Goals Seal Pirates’ Place in Round of 16
The Buccaneers continued to push forward, with Deon Hotto going close after meeting a cross-field delivery, only to be denied by another excellent save from Mohale. Moments later, the Tshakhuma keeper raced off his line to smother a first-time effort from Mbuthuma.
Pirates’ persistence was finally rewarded in the 90th minute when substitute Sipho Mbule unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, leaving Mohale rooted and sealing a convincing Pirates 4-1 victory.
The result confirmed that Pirates beat TTM 4-1 to advance to Round 16 in Nedbank Cup, maintaining their strong reputation in South Africa’s premier knockout competition.
Match Details
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Competition: Nedbank Cup
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Result: Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 1–4 Orlando Pirates
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Date: 07 February 2026
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Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Betway Premiership Standings (2025/26 Season)
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF:GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando Pirates | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 22:5 | 35 |
| 2 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 24:7 | 32 |
| 3 | Kaizer Chiefs | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 15:6 | 30 |
| 4 | AmaZulu | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 19:16 | 30 |
| 5 | Sekhukhune | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 17:10 | 29 |
| 6 | Durban City | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 15:13 | 25 |
| 7 | TS Galaxy | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 22:17 | 24 |
| 8 | Polokwane City | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 13:11 | 24 |
| 9 | Richards Bay | 16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 14:16 | 19 |
| 10 | Golden Arrows | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 21:22 | 17 |
| 11 | Siwelele | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9:14 | 17 |
| 12 | Stellenbosch | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 11:18 | 15 |
| 13 | Marumo Gallants | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 12:21 | 15 |
| 14 | Chippa United | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 10:21 | 15 |
| 15 | Orbit College | 17 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 14:30 | 14 |
| 16 | Magesi | 15 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 10:21 | 11 |
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What This Win Means for Pirates
With momentum building in both league and cup competitions, Orlando Pirates will take confidence from this performance. Squad depth, debut contributions, and tactical discipline all stood out as key positives.
As Pirates beat TTM 4-1 to advance to Round 16 in Nedbank Cup, attention now turns to the next knockout challenge, where the Buccaneers will be aiming to add more silverware to their decorated history.
Mainstream Media References
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News24: High-flying Orlando Pirates pummel amateurs TTM to advance to Nedbank Cup last 16 – A match report on Pirates’ 4-1 win over TTM to secure their Last 16 spot. High‑flying Orlando Pirates pummel amateurs TTM to advance to Nedbank Cup last 16
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