MTN8
Semifinal, First Leg
Half Time: Bidvest Wits 0-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 17 August 2014
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Second half goals from Siyabonga Sangweni and Thabo Matlaba gave Orlando Pirates a two goal advantage in the semifinals of the MTN8 after beating Bidvest Wits 2-0 in the first leg at the Bidvest Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Neither team offered too much in attack in the opening 45 minutes which made it a rather dull game as neither could hold onto the ball long enough to create a sustained period of pressure.
The first shot on goal only came in the 19th minute when Thulani Hlatshwayo let fly from 30-yards out, but his effort sailed well over the target.
The Buccaneers had their first attempt on goal ten minutes later when Daine Klate fired a 25-yard free-kick over the crossbar.
The best effort of the half came in the 37th minute when Siyabonga Sangweni met a corner-kick, but his headed effort went wide from six-yards out.
The half ended 0-0.
The second half started in a much more positive manner and Pirates managed to open the scoring in the 56th minute as Siyabonga Sangweni volleyed home a Daine Klate corner from six-yards out, 1-0.
Wits tried to fight back and came close to equalising ten minutes later, but Senzo Meyiwa was at his best to deny Toriq Lopser from close range after latching onto a Sibusiso Vilakazi cross.
In the 73rd minute Pirates made certain of the result when swift counter-attack which saw Thabo Matlaba one-on-one with the keeper and he made no mistake to double his side's lead 2-0.
Wits tried to find a goal to take to the second leg next week, but the Buccaneers defence held firm.
Bidvest Wits: Mabokgwane, Hlatshwayo, Gumede, Nergadze, Shongwe (Kebede 62'), Losper (Sheppard 78'), Vilakazi, Katongo, Mkhwanazi, Botes (Ngcobo 70'), Bhasera.
Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Mahamutsa, Nyauza, Matlaba, Sangweni, Sarr, Ntshumayelo, Klate (Myeni 72'), Manyisa, Makola (Qalinge 86'), Erasmus (Pelembe 91').
