Kamogelo Sebelebele struck late in the second half to help Orlando Pirates claim a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final on Saturday.
MTN8
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 16 August 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou gave striker Evidence Makgopa his first start of the season in place of Boitumelo Radiopane, while Relebohile Mofokeng and Kamogelo Sebelebele were also brought in following the loss to Marumo Gallants. Sundowns, meanwhile, recalled Aubrey Modiba ahead of Divine Lunga.
The game was played at a lively pace in the early stages, with Sebelebele causing a bit of problems down the right flank while Arthur Sales looked lively for the Brazilians.
Sundowns were dealt a blow after 12 minutes when captain Themba Zwane was unable to continue after picking up an appearance thigh injury. Jayden Adams was brought on as his replacement in midfield.
The game's first chance arrived after 26 minutes when Deon Hotto combined with Mofokeng before picking out the lively Sebelebele, who was unable to turn his effort on target from around six-yards out.
However, Sundowns got the opening goal ten minutes before the halftime break when Teboho Mokoena lost his marker in the box to power home a header from Marcelo Allende for his first goal of the season.
The Buccaneers came out firing in the second half as both Hotto and Makgopa squandered big chances in the opening 10 minutes, while the hosts had goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to thank for deny Iqraam Rayners at the other end.
Coach Ouaddou made a double change on the hour mark as Thalente Mbatha and Deano van Rooyen made way for Appollis and former Brazilians midfielder Sipho Mbule.
Sundowns nearly gifted Pirates the equaliser with 14 minutes to play when Grant Kekana's error opened up the space Makgopa to go one-one-one with Williams, however the striker went for the first-time, which was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
The hosts went even closer two minutes later as the lively Makgopa got on the end of Patrick Maswanganyi's corner at the near post but saw his glancing header crash against the upright with Williams well beaten.
Pirates got their reward with four minutes left on the clock as new signing Sebelebele raced clear from Mbekezeli Mbokazi's pass before calmly slotting past an advancing Williams for his first goal in the Buccaneers colours, which now sets up a lively second leg next in Atteridgeville.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 33. Seema, 44. Mbokazi, 21. Van Rooyen, 7. Hotto, 30. Nduli, 16. Mbatha, 28. Maswanganyi, 36. Sebelebele, 38. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 40. Dladla, 42. Radiopane, 32. Mariko, 27. Xoki, 23. Mbule, 18. Dlamini, 12. Appollis, 11. Moremi, 3. Ndaba
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 20. Kekana, 24. Cupido, 28. Mdunyelwa, 6. Modiba, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 9. Sales, 13. Rayners, 17. Matthews
Subs: 14. Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 29. Lunga, 44. Adams, 19. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 43. Letlhaku, 41. Mabena, 38. Shalulile
