Pirates edge City to advance into MTN8 semifinals

Orlando Pirates’ hopes of winning a fifth successive MTN8 title remained alive after they claimed a hard-earned 2-1 extra time win over 10-man Durban City at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The Buccaneers triumphed in this quarterfinal thanks to goals from Patrick Maswanganyi and Ghampani Lungu, but had to go the full 120 minutes against a gutsy Citizens team that played the majority of the two hours with a numerical disadvantage.

☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 2 - 1 @DurbanCity_FC

🥅 Maswanganyi [P] 37', Lungu 120'

⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/vFz0mACWZH

Pirates were on top from the early stages, but had to wait until the 20th minute for their first notable effort on goal, with Thalente Mbatha’s long-range drive forcing Durban goalkeeper Fredrick Asare into a finger-tip save.

Eight minutes later Patrick Maswanganyi whipped in a fine cross from the left flank to pick out Yanela Mbuthuma at the far post, but the striker was unable to direct an effort on target – and possibly would have been better served leaving the ball for teammate Nkosinathi Sibisi, who had a better angle arriving just behind him.

Nonetheless, the Buccaneers’ attacking pressure finally paid dividends in the 35th minute when Brooklyn Poggenpoel – already on a yellow card – had a poor touch toward his own goal and was forced into a mis-timed challenge on Tshepang Moremi in the 18-yard area.

This not only saw a penalty awarded to Pirates, but the City midfielder received a second caution and was sent for an early shower. Maswanganyi expertly converted from the spot in the 37th minute for a 1-0 lead to Pirates.

The Citizens, despite being down to 10 men, equalised seven minutes into the second half, with Gaston Sirino taking advantage of a defensive slip before teeing up Jean Lwamba to score from close range for 1-1.

The remainder of regulation time saw Pirates looking for a way to restore their lead. They came closest in the 87th minute when Moremi’s low drive forced a good save from Asare, and the follow-up was directed on target by substitute Kabelo Kgosietsile, but John Mokone read the situation brilliantly and made a heroic block.

Early in extra time the Soweto giants hit the woodwork via another effort from Moremi, while later they stung the palms of Asare with a shot from Boitumelo Radiopane, but finally they broke through in the final (120th) minute of the match.

Sbangani Zulu mis-timed a header from a corner kick, but the ball sat up perfectly for Ghampani Lungu, who crashed home a fantastic volley for his first goal in Orlando Pirates colours, securing a famous 2-1 triumph.

The teams will next be in Betway Premiership action on Wednesday 12 August, with Pirates facing AmaZulu FC away, and City at home to Golden Arrows.

Orlando Pirates (1) (1) 2 (Maswanganyi 37’ pen, Lungu 120’)

Durban City (0) (1) 1 (Lwamba 52’)

After extra time

Pirates: Chaine, Sebelebele (Lungu 97’), Seema, Sibisi (Zulu 46’), Ndaba, Dansin (Mokobodi 81’), Mbatha, Maswanganyi (Masilela 81’), Moremi, Appollis (Kgosietsile 66’), Mbuthuma (Radiopane 66’)

City: Asare, Shandu (Domingo 81’), Ncanana, Msomi (Gcaba 99’), J. Mokone, Poggenpoel, Sanger, Nodada (Makua 69’), Sirino (Maseko 59’), Sifumba (Mofokeng 82’), Lwamba (Morris 59’)