Image cred: Orlando Pirates FC
Sunday | October 23, 2022
Orlando Pirates are one game away from breaking the trophy drought after humiliating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 in the MTN8 Cup semi-final at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
Their first-leg match at the of October did not produce a goal but yesterday’s 2nd encounter was a different ball game altogether. Such was the heated semi-finals game that saw Sundowns finishing with 10 men on the field after Aubrey Modiba received a double booking (91′) which resulted into a red card.
Image cred: Orlando Pirates FC
Kermit Erasmus who won this cup with Sundowns last season opened the scoring on the 8th minute with a simple nod from a Monnapule Saleng cross to give the visitors a lead. Pirates’ away goal meant Sundowns needed 2 goals to stay in the MTN8 Cup and defend their crown.
Hosting Pirates far from Pretoria, their usual home turf, the Brazilians tried to bring fresh legs in the form of Gift Motupa (50′) in Gaston Sirino’s place and substituted Sphelele Mkhulise with Neo Maela (50′) in search of an equalizer.
Pirates too, rearranged their deck chairs to refresh their troops’ tanks in a fierce football combat. Fortune Makaringe and Ndayithethwa Ndlondlo changes in the midfield making way for Ben Motshwari (59′) and Goodman Mosele (60′) brought the balance and stability they needed to keep the Brazilians at bay as they were dominating in ball possession.
The Buccaneers absorbed the overcharged Sundowns onslaught and caught them on counter-attacks. It was during one of the transition play when Saleng increased the Pirates lead to 2 goals in the 83rd minute to ensure Sundowns were booted out of the first cup of the 2022/2023 season.
This goal opened up the Sundowns defense as they desperately tried to claw back into the game by pushing up numbers in front. Saleng capitalized on these bare vulnerabilities and made it 3-0 (92′), putting Sundowns on the sword and, ultimately, the hyped up game to bed. Basically, it means that the defending champions of the MTN8 Cup are effectively out of the contention.
And with Saleng 2nd goal of the afternoon and eventually earning him man of the match, the Buccaneers were home and dry, boosting a 3-0 aggregate scoreline.
For grand finale, Pirates will wait for the winner between AmaZulu Football Club and Kaiser Chiefs playing this afternoon (15h30) at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.