Pirates qualify for fourth MTN 8 Finals in a row
By Benjamin Nyirenda
Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns (1)1 Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (2-2 aggregate)
Orlando Pirates advanced to their fourth MTN8 finals in a row after beating Mamelodi Sundowns 1-4 on penalties in the second leg semifinals at the Lucas Moripe Stadium after the normal regulation time ended in another one-all draw and tied the game on two-all aggregate.
The Buccaneers recalled Patrick Maswanganyi in midfield while Deano van Rooyen missed out due to injury, with Kamogelo Sebelebele moving to the right-back position. Meanwhile, Sundowns recalled all the regulars who did not start against Magesi FC, although Ronwen Williams and Jayden Adams kept their starting berths.
Both sides looked lively in the early stages, even with Sundowns holding the advantage with the away goal from the first leg, although clear-cut chances were to come by in the opening ten minutes.
However, Sundowns took the lead on 17 minutes when Marcelo Allende’s shot deflected into the path of Iqraam Rayners, who showed the composure to slot into an empty net from a tight angle.
Pirates started to see more of the ball after going behind with Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Oswin Appollis getting involved but they were struggling to carve out chances in the final third.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made a surprising change seven minutes before the halftime break by withdrawing Maswanganyi for Bandile Shandu, which allowed Sebelebele to move forward and join the attack.
Both sides came out firing for the second half as Sundowns nearly added a second goal when Rayners rattled the upright with a powerful strike, before Thalente Mbatha saw his long-range effort saved by Williams.
The visitors made a double change on the hour mark as Evidence Makgopa and Sihle Nduli made way for Tshegofatso Mabasa and Abdoulaye Mariko as they looked to get back on level terms, while Sundowns threw on Thapelo Maseko for Tashreeq Matthews moments later.
However, Pirates got the equaliser out of nothing as a mix-up between Williams and his defence allowed Mabasa to sneak and head the ball into the path of Sebelebele, who fired home from close range for his third goal in three matches, with the referee waving appeals of a handball.
While Pirates had the momentum after the equaliser, they were unable to get the second goal while the Brazilians found it tough to restore their advantage, which saw the game go straight to a penalty shoot-out.
The Buccaneers held their nerve in the shoot-out by converting all the spot-kicks while Chaine pulled off two great saves to deny Toboho Mokoena and Allende.
Here’s how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 20. Kekana, 24. Cupido, 28. Mdunyelwa, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 29. Lunga, 17. Matthews, 8. Adams, 9. Sales, 13. Rayners
Subs: 14. Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 27. Morena, 6. Modiba, 19. Aubaas, 41. Mabena, 33. Maseko, Mothiba, 38. 35. Shalulile
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 33. Seema, 44. Mbokazi, 7. Hotto, 36. Sebelebele, 30. Nduli, 16. Mbatha, 28. Maswanganyi, 38. Mofokeng, 12. Appollis, 17. Makgopa.
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 27. Xoki, 3. Ndaba, 26. Shandu, 32. Mariko, 23. Mbule, 29. Kwayiba, 11. Moremi, 19. Mabasa
