Nedbank Cup: Buccaneers crush TTM to storm into Last 16

The Buccaneers dominated proceedings from start to finish, combining clinical finishing with sustained pressure to overwhelm their lower-division opponents.

Pirates made a fast start and took the lead after just 10 minutes. Winger Oswin Appollis was brought down inside the penalty area by Sithembiso Ngobe, and the referee pointed straight to the spot. January signing Andre de Jong stepped up confidently on his full debut and fired a precise low penalty into the corner, sending goalkeeper Lebohang Mohale the wrong way to hand the Buccaneers an early advantage.

The lead was doubled seven minutes later when Thalente Mbatha unleashed a long-range effort that deflected off a defender and wrong-footed Mohale before nestling into the net. Pirates continued to dominate possession and territory, forcing TTM onto the back foot for most of the first half.

TTM pulled one back in the 39th minute when Ngobe redeemed himself with a superb curling free-kick that sailed over the wall and beat Melusi Buthelezi at his near post, giving the underdogs a brief lifeline before the interval.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished early in the second half. Substitute Patrick Maswanganyi made an immediate impact in the 50th minute, combining neatly with Yanele Mbuthuma before slotting home a composed finish to restore Pirates' two-goal cushion.

The Buccaneers remained in control and capped off their dominant performance in stoppage time when another substitute, Sipho Mbule, collected the ball on the edge of the box and drilled a powerful low strike into the bottom corner to seal the 4-1 triumph.

Pirates controlled possession throughout and created numerous scoring opportunities, with Mohale's saves preventing an even heavier defeat. The professional performance ensured safe passage into the next round as the Soweto giants continued their pursuit of Nedbank Cup silverware.