WATCH: Bucs Mthombeni details how Casric stifled Pirates

In the aftermath of one of the biggest upsets in the Nedbank Cup this season, the dust has finally settled at the Orlando Amstel Arena. While the scoreline was a shock to many, Casric Stars coach and chairman Bucs Mthombeni insists the result was far from a fluke.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗢𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗣𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀’ 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻? 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻. 🧠🛡️

Chairman and Head Coach Bucs Mthombeni has praised his side’s tactical execution. He reveals that a core part of their “homework” was a dedicated plan… pic.twitter.com/J6RUBwSxk9

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) February 22, 2026

Behind the scenes of the Motsepe Foundation Championship side’s historic victory was a masterclass in tactical discipline and “meticulous midweek scouting.”

Mthombeni wasn’t just a spectator during Orlando Pirates’ high-octane clash against Mamelodi Sundowns last Wednesday. He was a man on a mission. Having witnessed the Buccaneers’ fluid transitions firsthand, he returned to the Casric camp with a clear directive: Stop the supply line.

“I knew exactly what we were going to face,” Mthombeni told FARPost. “I know they rotate the ball quickly and use their wingers effectively. They are comfortable in possession, but we identified the pivots that make them tick.”

Bucs Mthombeni On Neutralising Pirates’ ‘Twin Terrors’: Tito and Rele

The core of Mthombeni’s strategy revolved around suffocating Pirates’ most creative outlets—Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi and the mercurial Relebohile Mofokeng.

The plan was simple yet physically demanding.

Aggression on Mofokeng: Casric players were instructed to deny Relebohile any space to turn. “The plan was to be aggressive on Rele whenever he was on the ball, closing him down to ensure he couldn’t pass forward,” Bucs Mthombeni explained.

Forcing the Reset: By high-pressing the creative hubs, Casric forced Pirates into a cycle of “safe” football. Even with the overlapping threat of Deano van Rooyen, the Soweto Giants were repeatedly forced to restart play from the back.

The ‘Rest Defence’ Rule: To counter the marauding runs of Deon Hotto on the left flank, Mthombeni implemented a strict three-man rest defence. This ensured that even when Casric pushed forward, they were never outnumbered during Pirates’ lightning-fast transitions.

While the football world expected a comfortable afternoon for the Sea Robbers, Mthombeni’s side proved that structure often trumps individual brilliance.

“I think the plan worked very well. I have a lot of respect for Pirates and the Chairman, but I know this result wasn’t what their coach had planned.”

The victory serves as a reminder that in the Nedbank Cup, preparation is the great equaliser. For Pirates, it’s back to the drawing board; for Casric Stars, it’s a confirmation that they belong on the big stage.