Roger de Sa rested some of his regulars and fielded a line-up including Bheki Nzunga, Ayanda Gcaba, Lehlogonolo Maselesa, Onyekachi Okonkwo and Rudolf Bester, but the tactic did not pay off and Pirates were unceremoniously booted out of the Cup.
“The dismal showing by the Buccaneers at the hands of lowly Maluti FET College has left more questions than answers as they seek to dust themselves off and prepare for an equally important clash against Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows on Tuesday,” a statement on Bucs’ official website admits.
“To say the team was poor against Maluti on Saturday afternoon, would be an understatement of the season. The defending League champions and 2010 Nedbank Cup winners failed to break down the defence of an unknown outfit that plays three tiers below them.”
Pirates are currently second on the Premiership log, two points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs, with a game in hand. After their biggest defeat in two seasons they will have to pick themselves up again ahead of Tuesday's League fixture.
“As early as Sunday morning, the technical team will need to sit down and plan a way forward and try rescue a season that has already seen the double treble champions bundled out of the MTN8, Telkom Knockout and now the Nedbank Cup,” Pirates’ statement continues.
“Hopefully all the players that were rested in the failed experiment against Maluti will be available for the crucial away clash on Tuesday.”