Orlando Pirates advanced to a third straight MTN8 final after defeating Cape Town City 2-0 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
MTN8
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-0 Cape Town City (3-1 agg.)
Date: 31 August 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Jose Riveiro made one change from the first leg on Wednesday as Makhehlene Makhaula was brought into the midfield in place of Kabelo Dlamini, who dropped to the bench while City were unchanged.
There was not much to write home about in the early exchanges, which was reminiscent of the first leg as the Buccaneers enjoyed more of the possession without creating too many chances.
The trend of the first leg would continue after Pirates opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Tshegofatso Mabasa took advantage of some slack City defending and nodded past goalkeeper Darren Keet in the six yard box.
City's task was made even tougher three minutes before the halftime break when Deon Hotto doubled Pirates' lead with a lovely free-kick that sailed over the wall and left Keet with no chance on the line.
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City coach Eric Tinkler responded with a double change at the start of the second half, with Haashim Domingo and Kamohelo Mokotjo making way for Lorenzo Gordinho and new signing Amadou Soukouna.
Pirates continued pushing for more goals and they should have had a third goal after 65 minutes when Relebohile Mofokeng managed to beat Keet and was left with an open goal, but the youngster could only fire into the side-netting.
That proved to be Mofokeng's involvement as the young attacker made way for new signing Gilberto, while Thalente Mbatha picked up a knock and was replaced by Miguel Timm for the final 15 minutes.
City was the better team in the second half in the first leg, but there was no repeat this time around as they struggled to carve out any serious openings at Sipho Chaine's goal as the Buccaneers managed to see out the game.
Pirates will now await the winner of the Sunday's semi-final, where Stellenbosch FC are currently leading Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 on aggregate.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Monyane, Sesane, Ndah, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Mofokeng, Mabasa
Subs: Dladla, Rasebotja, Dlamini, Gilberto, Sibisi, Timm, Kimvuidi, Makgopa
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Petrus, Domingo, Nyama, Mokotjo, Makaringe, Tijueza, Gonzalez, Rhodes.
Subs: Oliaro, Soukouna, Fishre, Frances, Gordinho, Goedeman, Sereetsi, Ahshene, Amato
