Defending MTN8 champions Orlando Pirates were unable to defend their crown after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Swallows FC on Saturday evening.
MTN8
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-2 Swallows FC
Date: 14 August 2021
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made five changes from the Carling Black Label Cup, with Vincent Pule, Bongani Sam, Abel Mabaso and Kabelo Dlamini all recalled while Tebogo Tlolane went straight into the line-up following his loan spell at Maritzburg United, with Thembonkosi Lorch missing due to injury.
The Birds got off a quick start, with Ruzaigh Gamildien opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a dipping free-kick that beat shot-stopper Richard Ofori at his near post.
The visitors forced a mistake from Richard Ofori, who gave the ball away out of his area in the 23rd minute and Gamildien reacted the quickest to send a looping finish into an empty net to complete his brace.
The Buccaneers were given a lifeline on the half-hour mark with a penalty awarded in their favour after goalkeeper Virgil Vries brought down Deon Hotto inside the box, which allowed Dlamini to pull a goal back with a powerful low strike from the spot.
Click through the gallery below to see Pirates' new home and away jerseys:
The game was opening up early in the second stanza, and substitute Keletso Makgalwa found the back of the net for the visitors on the hour-mark after going through inside the box but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Hotto had a wonderful chance to level matters for Zinnbauer's troops in the 67th minute after controlling a through ball inside the box to go one-on-one with Vries but he dragged his shot horribly wide.
Pirates were holding the Birds in their own half in the closing stages, spurning good chances and they made double attacking change in the last nine minutes, as Siphesihle Ndlovu and Gabadinho replaced Mabaso and Dlamini.
The Buccaneers were desperate for the winner in the dying minutes, but Swallows defended in numbers and held on to secure a spot in the final four.
Here's how they started:
Pirates: Ofori, Hlatshwayo, Nyauza, Jooste, Sam, Mabaso, Makaringe, Dlamini, Hotto, Pule, Tlolane.
Subs: Mpontshane, Mthethwa, Dzvukamanja, Mntambo, Shandu, Mosele, Ndlovu, Mhango, Jele
Swallows: Vries, Letlabika, Sait, Mere, Matlaba, Matlou, Nyatama, Ndlovu, Mokoena, Solomons, Gamildien.
Subs: February, Sibiya, Mhlongo, Mohamme, Mbokoma, Khupe, Makgalwa, Wambi, Saleng.
