MTN8 took centre stage this past weekend with defending champions, Orlando Pirates, opening the proceedings with a 2-0 win over Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Rise and Shine were under severe pressure with their former teammate, Oswin Appollis, proving a thorn in their flesh as he went on to open the scoring for his new side, on debut, in the 13th minute. He was back again when he was awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box and Patrick Maswanganyi converted in the 35th minute to make it 2-0 to new coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side.
The second match of the day took place in the evening when Sekhukhune United hosted TS Galaxy at Peter Mokaba Stadium. It was the visitors who took the lead with goals from Mpho Mvelase and Victor Letsoalo as they looked like they were running with it. Coach Eric Tinkler’s charges pulled one back, through Bradley Grobler’s header towards the end of the first half. The former SuperSport United veteran striker was at it again, as he scored his second goal in the 64th minute before Vusumzi Ncube’s winner five minutes later. The Rockets will be bitterly disappointed to have thrown away what looked like a solid 2-0 lead, only to end on the losing side.
Sunday afternoon saw last season’s runner-up, Stellenbosch FC hosting AmaZulu FC at Cape Town Stadium. The visitors drew first blood with Keegan Allan finding the back of the net in the 18th minute for coach Arthur Zwane’s team before Sanele Barns restored parity seven minutes later, to bring coach Steve Barker’s team back into the game. Barns was back at it again, with a stunning freekick to take the lead in the 69th minute before Tebogo Mashigo equalised four minutes later. Just when the game looked set to for penalties, Langelihle Phili sealed the deal for Stellies in the 108th minute to win the game.
Mamelodi Sundowns hosted Richards Bay FC in the second match of the day, at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Coach Miguel Cardoso’s charges wasted no time as Iqraam Rayners found the back of the net 10 minutes into the contest. A forced error resulted in Simphiwe Mcineka scoring an own goal right at the end of the first half, to give the Brazilians a 2-0 lead at half time. The former Stellies striker was back on the score board with a well-taken goal in the 54th minute before Siyabonga Mabena’s 76th minute secured their spot in the semi-finals.
Pirates will host Sundowns while Stellenbosch will be home against Sekhukhune in the two-legged semi-finals. The league will be confirming dates and venues in due course.
With that brief summary of the Play-Offs, have a go at selecting your Team of the Week and see how close you get to the official Soccer Laduma selection.
