Orlando Pirates have booked their place in the MTN8 final after producing a dominant 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.
Orlando Pirates entered the match with a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Polokwane. They finished the job in emphatic fashion, scoring twice before the break before adding a third goal in the final minute.
Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made a key change to his starting lineup by recalling forward Yanela Mbuthuma. The youngster repaid that faith with an outstanding performance.
Sekhukhune United were forced to make changes of their own. Assistant coach Paulus Masehe took charge from the touchline as head coach Cedric Kaze served a touchline ban.
The visitors also handed Namibian striker Bethuel Muzeu his debut. However, Babina Noko struggled to cope with the intensity of the hosts.
Orlando Pirates started on the front foot. The Buccaneers controlled the tempo and pressed high up the pitch. Their movement caused constant problems for the Sekhukhune United defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived late in the first half. Bafana Bafana star Oswin Appollis forced a turnover from a corner before finding Yanela Mbuthuma out wide.
The forward drove towards the penalty area and produced a perfectly weighted cutback across the face of goal. Thapelo Mokobodi arrived at the right moment.
The midfielder calmly tucked his finish into the bottom corner to give Orlando Pirates the lead on the night. The Buccaneers quickly doubled their advantage.
Mbuthuma was once again at the heart of the move. He picked up space before slipping a superb pass into the path of the onrushing Ghampani Lungu.
He unleashed a first-time effort into the near corner, sending the home crowd into another celebration. The goal left Orlando Pirates with a commanding three-goal advantage on aggregate.
The second half was all about game management for the reigning champions. Orlando Pirates remained disciplined in possession and refused to give Sekhukhune United a way back into the contest.
The visitors struggled to create clear openings. The Buccaneers closed down passing lanes and frustrated every attempt to build momentum.
Then came the final piece of the punishment. With the match entering its final minute, Orlando Pirates produced another superb attacking move involving substitutes Mpho Padime and Tshepang Moremi.
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The two substitutes combined brilliantly to open up the Sekhukhune United defence.
The move eventually found Kamogelo Sebebele, who made no mistake with the finish. The result keeps Orlando Pirates’ incredible unbeaten run alive while taking them one step closer to history.
The Buccaneers are now chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive appearance in the MTN8 final. Their opponents will be confirmed after the other semi-final between Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Golden Arrows currently hold a narrow 1-0 advantage heading into Sunday’s second leg at King Zwelithini Stadium.
