Orlando Pirates are through to the Nedbank Cup semifinals after a 5-4 win on penalties against SuperSport United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane on Saturday. The match ended 2-2 after extra-time.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Evidence Makgopa scored first half goals for the Buccaneers while Terrence Dzvukamanja and Gape Moralo netted for SuperSport.
The visitors welcomed goalkeeper Sipho Chaine back into the team after missing the midweek game against Chippa United.
Defender Nkosinathi Sibisi was ruled out of the match as he is serving one-match ban. But Pirates also welcomed back Patrick Maswanganyi, who was out with an injury. The home side were still without head coach Gavin Hunt, who is serving a two-match ban for the red card against Magesi FC.
SUPERSPORT UNITED ELIMINATED FROM NEDBANK CUP IN THE QUARTER-FINAL STAGE
SuperSport United were the first to launch an attack as early as the first minute through Gamphani Lungu, but Sipho Chaine was equal to the task. Lungu again proved to be a handful on the right-hand side for the home side. His shot from close range in the 25th minute missed the target by an inch.
SA youth international Mbekezeli Mbokazi opened his account for Pirates in only his second match when his shot inside the 18-area beat a helpless Ricardo Goss.
Evidence Makgopa, who was preferred upfront in place of Tshegofatso Mabasa, missed an opportunity to double the lead. His shot inside the box hit side netting.
A few minutes later, Matsatsantsa found an equaliser against the run of play. Former Pirates forward Terrence Dzvukamanja capitalised on a miscalculated decision by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine who came out to clear the ball but in turn misjudged it leaving Dzvukamanja to slot the ball home.
ORLANDO PIRATES SCURE SEMIFINAL SPOT AFTER HARD FOUGHT VICTORY
Evidence Makgopa made up for his earlier miss when he restored the lead for Pirates during the referee’s optional time in the first half.
SuperSport were the better side in the second half while pushing for an equaliser. Substitute Oratilwe Moloisane created the first biggest chance of the second half 20 minutes from time. His shot on the left hand side missed the target. Sipho Chaine produced an excellent save after a long-range shot by Dzvukamanja 10 minutes from time.
The Buccaneers thought they had secured a place in the last four but Gape Moralo had other ideas. Midfielder scored two minutes into the referees optional time to give SuperSport the equaliser taking the match into extra-time.
Both teams couldn’t find the back of the net during extra-time forcing the match to be decided on penalties.
PENALTY TAKERS
SuperSport United: Maboe [scored], Grobler [scored], Pule [saved], Mobbie [scored], Moloisane [scored], Saile [saved].
Orlando Pirates: Hotto [scored], Xoki [scored], Makgopa [scored], Ndlondlo [saved], Maswanganyi [scored], Mosele [scored].
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