Soweto giants Orlando Pirates booked their place in the MTN8 semi-finals after securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory in extra time over SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
SuperSport started the game like a house on fire, with the Gavin Hunt-led side enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the early proceedings and nearly had their efforts rewarded as early as the third minute when striker Bradley Grobler found himself unmarked outside the box. However, his long-range shot sailed over the top of the crossbar.
SuperSport continued to pile the pressure on the Buccaneers, and could count themselves as unlucky after they were denied what looked like a penalty in the seventh minute after Pirates defender Thabiso Monyane seemed to handle the ball inside the box.
However, as the match went progressed, Pirates settled into the game and started to play their free-flowing game.
Star midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi set up Relebohile Mofokeng with a through ball inside the box halfway through the first half, but the youngster failed to put the ball into the back on of the net.
Pirates' captain Olisa Ndah ensures they head to the break with a goal advantage.
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2024
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The Buccaneers eventually broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute after Monapule Saleng managed to dance his way inside the box to set up a brilliant ball for defender Olisah Nda, who put the home side in front.
Pirates continued to search for a second goal, but struggled to convert their chances as SuperSport goalkeeper Ricardo Goss kept his side in the game.
Pirates went into halftime 1-0 up, but SuperSport came out a different side after the break and found the equaliser almost immediately in the second half through former Pirates player Vincent Pule.
⚽ Ndah
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2024
⚽ Pule
We’re heading to extra time as Pirates and SuperSport ends locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
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As the game went on and both sides struggled to find the winner and the game went into into extra time.
Saleng, though, managed to put the Pirates in front minutes into extra time after receiving a square ball inside the box from midfielder Kabelo Dlamini following a training ground move from a free kick.
As SuperSport United pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Evidence Magkopa put the game beyond the visitors after he scored a third goal and ensured Pirates advance to the last four.
IOL Sport