Ahead of their MTN8 clash this weekend, Soccer Laduma looks back to the last time Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns met in a two-legged semi-final in the competition, which produced seven goals.
The sides last met in the 2011 semi-final and, at the time, the Buccaneers were dominating local football, having come from the first of their double treble. With a squad featuring the likes of Oupa Manyisa, Siyabonga Sangweni, Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Tlou Segolela and Daine Klate, the Buccaneers won an entertaining first leg clash at Orlando Stadium 3-2.
READ: Lakay Decision A Reality Check For Downs Players
Mbuyane, who was no stranger to scoring against Sundowns, opened the scoring for the Buccaneers with a well taken goal with his left foot. Katlego Mphela had his penalty saved by Moeneeb Josephs in the Pirates goal, but he pounced on the rebound to level matters for Sundowns. The Tshwane giants took a 2-1 lead through the boot of Musa Nyatama, who would later go onto play for the Buccaneers in his career, after Elias Pelembe played a good ball into the box from the left flank.
Pirates made it 2-2 as Segolela scored a brilliant goal before Bongani Ndulula completed the comeback from the spot, making it 3-2 after sending Wayne Sandilands the wrong way.
In the second leg, Pelembe opened the scoring for Sundowns to make it 3-3 on aggregate, but the game was decided by a touch of brilliance from Manyisa, who unleashed a powerful shot in the 70th minute to give Sandilands no chance. Bucs won it 4-3 on aggregate and went on to win the competition by beating Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the final.
READ: Pirates Break Silence On Mabena
Sundowns are currently dominating local football and are the reigning champions in the MTN8. As they prepare to take on the Buccaneers, they will be determined to win the semi-finals and go on to defend their title, just as the Soweto giants did in 2011.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
