Orlando Pirates edged Mamelodi Sundowns 4–1 on penalties after a tense 2–2 aggregate draw, booking another shot at MTN8 glory.
Sports Reporter
- Match finished 1–1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium, 2–2 on aggregate.
- Iqraam Rayners struck first for Sundowns in the 17th minute.
- Kamogelo Sebelebele levelled for Pirates with his third goal of the competition.
- Sundowns missed their first two penalties; Tshegofatso Mabasa scored the winner.
Orlando Pirates secured a fourth consecutive place in the MTN8 final after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 4–1 on penalties in their semi-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The match finished 1–1 on the day, leaving the aggregate tied at 2–2.
According to the PSL’s official match report, Iqraam Rayners gave Sundowns the lead in the 17th minute, reacting quickest when Marcelo Allende’s shot was blocked and calmly steering home the rebound. It was his third goal of this season’s tournament, underlining his growing influence in the competition.
Pirates, though, refused to fold. They absorbed waves of Sundowns pressure and looked to strike back on the counter through the movement of Relebohile Mofokeng and the physical presence of Evidence Makgopa. The Buccaneers carved out half-chances, but their final ball lacked sharpness.
News24’s live coverage noted that Sundowns might have put the tie beyond doubt early in the second half. Rayners again came close, rattling the upright with a shot that left goalkeeper Sipho Chaine stranded. Chaine, however, produced a series of crucial stops to keep Pirates alive, including denying Tashreeq Matthews from close range and later tipping away a header from Keanu Cupido.
The turning point came in the 73rd minute. Kamogelo Sebelebele, who had scored in the first leg, pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire Pirates level. His persistence, according to the PSL report, made the difference, ensuring he has now scored in three consecutive MTN8 games. The equaliser silenced the Sundowns faithful and shifted momentum towards the Buccaneers.
Both sides pressed for a winner. Thapelo Maseko’s late header flew wide for Sundowns, while Pirates’ Deon Hotto had a free kick charged down in the dying minutes. With neither team able to find a breakthrough, the contest moved directly to a penalty shootout.
Here, the composure of Pirates told. Sundowns faltered immediately, with Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende both failing to convert their kicks. Pirates, by contrast, were unerring. Patrick Maswanganyi, Hotto and Makgopa all found the net before Tshegofatso Mabasa stepped up to fire the winner. Pirates prevailed 4–1, their supporters erupting as they booked yet another place in the final.
The sports site Vavel reported that the Buccaneers will now face either Stellenbosch or Sekhukhune United in the final, as they chase a record-extending 14th MTN8 crown. For coach José Riveiro and his squad, the victory continues a remarkable sequence of dominance in South Africa’s premier knockout competition.
For Sundowns, the defeat will sting. Despite controlling large parts of the tie and showing their depth of attacking options, their failure from the spot condemned them to exit. It also raised questions about their ability to convert possession into decisive victories when the pressure is at its highest.
Pirates, meanwhile, showed resilience. Sebelebele’s rise as a reliable goalscorer, Chaine’s assurance in goal, and the team’s composure in the shootout spoke volumes about their capacity to handle the occasion. As the MTN8 final approaches, the Buccaneers stand one step from further glory, while Sundowns are left to reflect on what slipped away in Atteridgeville.