Defending champions Orlando Pirates are through to the MTN8 semi-finals after a 3-1 win against SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The home side were the first to open the scoring through Olisah Ndah on the stroke of halftime. Vincent Pule scored an equaliser for the visitors in the early stages of the second half. Monnapule Saleng and Evidence Makgopa netted during the extra-time to give the Buccaneers the win.
There were no major changes from the Pirates starting line-up with no new signing making the team. United on the other hand gave new signings Nyiko Mobbie, Keanin Ayer, Vincent Pule, Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Pogiso Sanoka from TS Galaxy their first starts.
ORLANDO PIRATES EASE PAST SUPERSPORT UNITED TO SECURE SEMI-FINAL SPOT
The first real chance of the half came in the 17th minute after a move started by midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi together with Makhaula. But youngster Relebohile Mofokeng blasted the ball over the bar with keeper Goss left to beat.
SuperSport saw their shot for a penalty turned down by referee Abongile Tom after the ball looked like it had hit Monyane’s hand in the 21st minute but the replay showed that the ball hit his chest.
A short from Mofoekeng seven minutes later posed a threat for United but Goss was well-positioned to produce a stunning save.
Pirates were finally rewarded with a goal from defender Olisah Ndah who tapped in a cross from winger Saleng. The left-footer, Saleng, nearly provided a second from the same position a few moments later, but striker Tshegofatso Mabasa was too far to connect with the ball.
Pirates went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead.
A few minutes into the second half, former Pirates winger Vincent Pule silenced the home crowd in Orlando with an equaliser and a debut goal from Bradley Grobler’s cross.
Goss produced a brilliant save from the touchline after a deflected goal-bound shot from Mofokeng in the 60th minute. Two minutes later Goss was again called into action and produced another great save to deny Saleng as Pirates continued to pile more pressure.
Pirates were the better side in the second half and posed threats to the United defence. Mabasa missed a glorious opportunity with 15 minutes to go after a rebound from a Gross’ save.
TWO EXTRA-TIME GOALS WERE ENOUGH FOR THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
Both teams failed to find a winner in the 90 minutes taking the match to extra-time. It took only two minutes for Pirates to retain their lead after a tap-in by Saleng from a miscued shot by Deon Hotto.
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