MTN8 Semi-Final Second-Leg
Result: Pirates 1-1 (2-1 agg) Chiefs
Date: 24 September 2013
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Orlando Pirates booked their place in the MTN8 final at the expense of their fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs after playing out a 1-1 draw in their semi-final second-leg clash on Tuesday. Pirates won 2-1 on aggregate.
Coming into the game having lost the first-leg 1-0, Amakhosi knew that they needed to get on the score sheet and they pushed forward from the start. Pirates were ready to hit back on the counter though, with Kermit Erasmus looking particularly lively in a few attacks.
Siyanbonga Nkosi created the first chance of the game five minutes in with a superb cross into the area but it was cleared before Knowledge Musona could get to it.
Erasmus tried to respond at the other end but his shot was high and wide while Nkosi stole possession in Pirates’ area but curled his shot well over.
The early minutes were frantic as Willard Katsande seemed surprised that a corner found him at the far post as it bounced off him and over from close range. Moments later Musona drew a sublime save from Senzo Meyiwa before Erasmus thumped a shot just wide for the Sea Robbers.
The tackles were flying in with a number of players needing to be patched up but the contest remained intense as Erasmus burst past Morgan Gould before seeing his low cross cut out well by Tefu Mashamaite.
Daine Klate then whipped in a cross soon after but Erasmus' header was deflected off target before Parker just missed out on a cross from Musona in the 34th minute.
The opening goal came two minutes later though as Meyiwa did brilliantly to claw a header off target but the ball dropped straight to Parker who couldn't miss.
Pirates tried to find a late equaliser in the half but Erasmus' shot from the edge of the area was deflected wide and the two resulting corners were dealt with before the half-time whistle sounded.
The Buccaneers started the second period with more purpose and saw Bacela have a shot blocked seconds in before Erasmus was stopped by Mashamaite after being slipped through by substitute Sifiso Myeni.
Nkosi had a shot blocked at the other end by Siyabonga Sangweni before Musona's rasping effort from a free-kick was kept out by Meyiwa.
Sangweni then left the woodwork rattling for Pirates in the 68th minute when he powered a header at goal from a corner as the hosts turned up the heat.
That pressure paid off in the 75th minute though as Morgan Gould was penalised for pulling on Rooi Mahamutsa in the area - much to the dismay of the Chiefs players who seemed furious with the decision. Their protests would not help though as Bacela calmly sent Khune the wrong way from the spot.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane was played in by an intricate move from Chiefs at the edge of the area but his shot was not strong enough to beat Meyiwa.
Lehlohonolo Majoro was thrown on for a late cameo it was Pirates who went close to finishing it off on a counter but Thamsanqa Gabuza’s pass was too weak to find Myeni in a two-on-one situation.
Majoro would indeed get his moment in the spotlight though with the final kick of the game but after ditching his defender he fired off target from close range as Pirates booked their spot in the final.
Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Rooi Mahamutsa, Siyabonga Sangweni, Happy Jele, Patrick Phungwayo, Tlou Segolela, Oupa Manyisa, Daine Klate, Lehlogonolo Masalesa, Kermit Erasmus, Lennox Bacela.
Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Tefu Mashamaite, Morgan Gould, Tsepo Masilela, Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker, Siyabonga Nkosi, Knowledge Musona.
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