Orlando Pirates secured a convincing 3-0 win over Milford in the South Africa Premier League Cup on 28 October 2026, with Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Patrick Maswanganyi all finding the net. The Buccaneers controlled the match from the early stages and advanced comfortably to the next round.

Match overview

Pirates imposed themselves immediately, moving the ball quickly and stretching Milford with wide attacks. The opener came in the 23rd minute when Mofokeng received the ball on the right, beat his marker and fired into the near corner. Milford responded by dropping deeper, but the pressure continued to build as Pirates dominated possession.

The second goal arrived in the 57th minute when Mabasa met a cross with a powerful header. That goal broke Milford’s resistance, and Pirates added a third in the 81st minute through Maswanganyi, who curled a shot into the bottom corner after a neat exchange on the edge of the box. Milford’s best chance came late on, but the Pirates goalkeeper preserved the clean sheet.

Key moments

• 23rd minute: Relebohile Mofokeng opens the scoring with a sharp finish from the right.
• 57th minute: Tshegofatso Mabasa heads in Pirates’ second goal.
• 81st minute: Patrick Maswanganyi curls home a third to seal the win.
• 89th minute: Pirates goalkeeper makes a late save to keep a clean sheet.

Tactical story

Orlando Pirates lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and used their full-backs aggressively to pin Milford back. Mofokeng and Maswanganyi drifted into central areas to combine with Mabasa, making Pirates difficult to mark. Milford defended in a 5-3-2 block and tried to counter through long balls, but they were unable to retain possession for long enough to relieve the pressure.

Standout players

Mofokeng was electric throughout, combining direct running with intelligent link-up play. Mabasa’s physical presence and movement gave Pirates a focal point in attack, while Maswanganyi’s late goal was a reward for a busy performance. Milford’s goalkeeper made a string of saves and prevented the scoreline from becoming more one-sided.

What the result means

Pirates move into the next round with momentum and a clean sheet, two things every cup side wants. The performance also highlighted the depth and attacking quality available to the coaching staff. For Milford, the defeat is a learning experience against one of South Africa’s strongest club sides, and they will now turn their attention to league matters with a clearer sense of the level required in knockout football.