Zakhele Lepasa bagged a hat-trick as Orlando Pirates stormed into the MTN8 semi-finals after thrashing Sekhukhune United 5-0 on Saturday evening
MTN8
Result: Orlando Pirates 5-0 Sekhukhune Unite
Date: 12 August 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates were unchanged from their thumping win over Royal AM, as Monnapule Saleng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng supported striker Zakhele Lepasa upfront.
After a quiet start to the half, the Buccaneers eventually broke the deadlock midway through the first stanza after Lepasa tapped home a cut-back from Maswanganyi, who capitalized on a slip by Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya in the box.
Sekhukhune looked to combine more going forward after that and made a game from their midfield but they lacked the final product, with striker Chibuike Ohizu well marked by Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Jose Riveiro's charges were a threat on transitions towards the end of the first stanza and should have been 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time but Lepasa was denied by the post twice through a deflected shot and a header in the same attack.
The game opened up from the interval as Sekhukhune got desperate for the equaliser and the visitors were awarded a penalty eight minutes from the break after Paseko Mako brought down Ohizu in the box but the Nigerian strikers spot-kick came off the post.
Pirates sensed danger and Lepasa finally gave his side a two-goal cushion three minutes later with a tap-in after Saleng's diagonal shot came off the post.
Riveiro's men kept on coming and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo put the game out of reach on the hour-mark with shot that deflected off Edwin Gyimah after going through in the box.
Pirates continued to run riot and just two minutes later, Saleng added a fourth goal for Pirates with a close-range finish after he reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box.
Deon Hotto made an instant impact for the hosts shortly after his arrival, as he was brought down in the box and Lepasa had a glorious opportunity to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot but he skied his spot-kick wide and over the crossbar.
However, Lepasa did get his hat-trick four minutes before time after turning home a square pass by Hotto as the Buccaneers progressed to the semi-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Mako, Monyane, Monare, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Lepasa
Subs: Ofori, Mthethwa, Eva Nga, Shandu, Maela, Makhaula, Otladisa, Makaringe, Hotto
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Gyimah, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Mobbie, Mokotjo, Mokwana, Bwalya, Webber, Ohizu, Mbokoma
Subs: Mabotja, Mkhabela, Tshibwabwa, Mahlangu, Vilakazi, Thutlwa, Mosadi, Leaner, Masiya
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