MTN8 Quarter-final

 

Result: Orlando Pirates 4-3 (pen, aet 2-2) SuperSport United

 

Date: 11 August 2013

 

Venue: Mbombela Stadium

 

 

 

Orlando Pirates reached the MTN8 semi-finals by edging ten-man SuperSport United 4-3 on penalties in Nelspruit on Sunday afternoon.

 

Sea Robbers captain Lucky Lekgwathi slotted the winning kick after 120 minutes of football yielded a 2-2 stalemate at Mbombela Stadium.

 

New Bucs signing Lennox Bacela completed a last-gasp brace to erase an own goal by Thabo Matlaba and extra-time strike from substitute Magogi Gabonamong, while United debutant Sibusiso Khumalo was sent off late on.

 

Pirates join Premiership champions Kaizer Chiefs, Platinum Stars and Wits in the last-four of the tournament, with the draw set to take place on Monday.

 

In a free-flowing contest, Sifiso Myeni’s useful volley drew a regulation stop from United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams five minutes in.

 

Pirates then suffered a blow 10 minutes later when striker Collins Mbesuma was forced off with a sprained right ankle following a physical challenge from Thabo September. The burly Zambian was replaced by former Bloemfontein Celtic hitman Bacela.

 

Matsatsantsa, who lost in last season’s final, also threatened on occasion but towering hitman Mame Niang and David Mathebula lacked accuracy with their speculative efforts from distance.

 

Bucs came agonisingly close to scoring in the 26th minute, as Daine Klate’s diving header was foiled by the woodwork following Man of the Match Andile Jali’s cross from the right.

 

Soon after, United’s Thuso Phala let rip from range, with keeper Senzo Meyiwa parrying the ball to safety.

 

Cavin Johnson’s outfit, however, took the lead in the 32nd minute when Matlaba headed into his own net under heavy pressure from Niang following a long throw-in by September.

 

SuperSport were also made to make an early substitution moments later as Sameehg Doutie appeared to injure his hamstring, with Thabiso Nkoana taking his place.

 

The Buccaneers pressed in the latter stages of the stanza, with Bacela powering a header wide off a Klate corner, but United managed to protect their narrow lead heading into the break.

 

Roger de Sa’s outfit started the second period with purpose, as Rooi Mahamutsa’s skilful flick from a corner was narrowly off target in the 54th minute.

 

Soon after, Phala’s low shot on the run was nicely kept out by the diving Meyiwa. De Sa then introduced Kermit Erasmus, a July signing from SuperSport, in the 57th minute at the expense of Myeni. Erasmus made an impact four minutes later as his strong run in the box was only partially dealt with by Khumalo, with Bacela at hand to rifle the loose ball home for his first goal for Pirates.   Matlaba had a good chance to nudge Bucs ahead soon after but the promising Williams did well to snatch the ball away from the Bafana Bafana defender’s feet. Johnson sought to reinforce his midfield by bringing on the experienced Gabonamong for the creative Mathebula in the 63rd minute. The Sea Robbers, though, continued to dominate, as Erasmus dragged a shot across the face of goal in the 68th minute following wonderful one-touch football between Oupa Manyisa and Jali at the edge of the box. At the other end, Meyiwa dropped down smartly to deny Khumalo’s left-footed strike from a difficult angle in the 73rd minute. Johnson made his final change six minutes later, swapping Jabu Maluleke for recent recruit Kurt Lentjies, while De Sa did likewise by injecting Thulasizwe Mbuyane for Klate seven minutes before the end of regulation time. United regained the lead in the third minute of extra-time through Gabonamong. The Botswana stalwart stroked in Phala’s headed cross from close range after Niang caused problems by beating Meyiwa to the ball in an aerial tussle. However, Bacela equalised in the 114th minute by turning in Mbuyane’s low cross from the right.   Khumalo was dismissed with three minutes to go after receiving his second yellow card for a wild tackle on Happy Jele.

 

Pirates came out on top in the penalty lottery, with Lekgwathi, Erasmus, Mahamutsa and Bacela scoring, with Jali missing.

 

Niang, Maluleke and Bevan Fransman were successful with their kicks, but Williams and September missed.

 

Orlando Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Rooi Mahamutsa, Lucky Lekgwathi, Thabo Matlaba, Happy Jele, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, Sifiso Myeni, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Daine Klate, Collins Mbesuma.

 

SuperSport United: Ronwen Williams, Sibusiso Khumalo, Bevan Fransman, Mor Diouf, Sameehg Doutie, Kurt Lentjies, Edwin Gyimah, Mame Niang, Thuso Phala, David Mathebula, Thabo September.

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