Orlando Pirates started post Jose Riveiro era with a 2-0 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final game staged at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The defending champions came into the match under pressure to deliver despite the many changes that were made in both the technical team and the playing unit.
It was also a massive test for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to have a good start and prove his doubters wrong.
Appollis delivers in the first half
Bafana Bafana international Oswin Appollis is among the new players signed by the Soweto giants in the ongoing transfer window. He was given a chance against his former team, and almost delivered inside the first minute, but his attempt missed the target by inches.
Appollis did not wait long for his first goal in the Orlando Pirates jersey; in the 12th minute, Sihle Nduli's precise pass found Boitumelo Radiopane just outside the 18-yard area. the forward turned and laid the ball for the winger who picked his spot before beating Brian Bwire in the Rise and Shine goal.
It was 2-0 in the 33rd minute; once again, the hungry Appollis found his way into the danger zone, but Ayabonga Gwangqa brought him down, giving the referee no option but to point to the penalty spot. Patrick Maswanganyi had no problem finding the back of the net.
Second half
Polokwane City were determined to try and get back into the game in the early exchanges of the second half, but they just couldn't get past a well-oiled Pirates team that looked determined to deliver.
In the 57th minute, Radiopane, who had a good game, spotted Bandile Shandu making a run into the box. He picked the full-back but the defender recovered on time to clear the danger.
Another massive opportunity fell on veteran Namibia international Deon Hotto. The visitors committed a foul on the edge of the 18-yard box, and the versatile defender was given the opportunity to hit the target. However, he was unfortunate to see his effort come off the cross bar for a goal-kick.
With two minutes to go, debutant Yanela Mbuthuma was denied on the line by Lebohang Nkaki. It eventually ended 2-0 with Bucs into the last four hurdle.
