PRETORIA – Orlando Pirates are through to the MTN8 final after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 on penalties at Lucas Moripe Stadium this afternoon.
The semi-final second leg ended 1-1, leaving the aggregate score tied at 2-2. It was Kamogelo Sebelebele who rescued the Buccaneers with a crucial equaliser in the 73rd minute after Iqraam Rayners had put the home side ahead in the first half.
Sebelebele, who also scored in the first leg, has now struck three times in the competition. His performance continues to attract attention from local football followers in Eswatini, with some comparing his rise to that of Swazi-born internationals who made their mark in South African football.
The contest began at a frantic pace. Pirates nearly stunned Sundowns two minutes in when Deon Hotto’s shot curled just wide. Sundowns responded in the 17th minute as Rayners capitalised on a defensive mistake by Lebone Seema to put the Brazilians ahead.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou reshuffled his side before half-time, pulling off Patrick Maswanganyi and introducing Bandile Shandu, which allowed Sebelebele to push further forward. Pirates continued pressing but struggled to break Sundowns’ defensive wall before the interval.
Sundowns came out strong after the break and almost doubled their lead when Rayners struck the upright, while Tashreeq Matthews forced a sharp save from Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
The Buccaneers fought back with fresh legs as Tshegofatso Mabasa and Abdoulaye Mariko came on for Evidence Makgopa and Sihle Nduli. Their pressure paid off when Sebelebele pounced on a defensive mix-up to level the scores.
Neither side managed to seal the game in normal time, forcing the clash into penalties. Pirates converted all four of their spot kicks, while Chaine became the hero by saving efforts from Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende.
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