Orlando Pirates secured their place in the Nedbank Cup semifinals for the third consecutive year under Jose Riveiro, triumphing 5-4 in a penalty shootout against SuperSport United after the match ended in a 2-2 draw following 120 minutes of intense play.
From the first whistle, Matsatsantsa displayed their intent, with Ghampani Lungu’s early effort in the 1st minute prompting a fantastic save from Sipho Chaine. Shortly after, Evidence Makgopa squandered a chance created by a defensive error from the home side, losing control as he pondered his options.
In the 25th minute, Mohau Nkota received a clever backheel from Makgopa, but the quick winger’s shot flew over the bar. Meanwhile, Ghanaian winger Enoch Quaicoe made a threatening run towards goal, yet his effort skimmed past the front of the goal.
The opening goal came in the 29th minute from a corner, exploiting defensive lapses by SuperSport. 19-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, making his second appearance of the season after debuting against Chippa United on Wednesday, unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner.
Cult hero Makgopa was set up for a shot by Nkota, but the striker misfired, sending his right-footed attempt into the side netting. Relebohile Mofokeng, playing in the no.10 role, forced Ricardo Goss into a spectacular save with a curling shot from outside the box.
Terrence Dzvukamanja, a former Pirates player, equalized for the Tshwane side in the 42nd minute after Chaine miscalculated a long ball from Goss, resulting in a miscommunication with his center-backs and allowing the Zimbabwean to score into an open net.
Just before halftime, Makgopa restored the Buccaneers’ lead, capitalizing on SuperSport’s defensive errors as Nkota’s cross found Deon Hotto, whose misdirected shot fell perfectly for the Limpopo-born striker as they headed into the break.
The Spartans adjusted by bringing on youngster Oratilwe Moloisane for Lungu as the Bucs commenced the second half. Five minutes into the period, SuperSport threatened with a dangerous ball into the box, but Makhehleni Makhaula handled it adeptly.
Both teams made tactical substitutions after the hour mark, with Bradley Grobler and Neo Rapoo coming on for Siphesihle Ndlovu and Aphiwe Baliti. Meanwhile, Patrick Maswanganyi, Goodman Mosele, and Deano Van Rooyen replaced Nkota, Thalente Mbatha, and Siyabonga Ndlozi, respectively.
In an attempt for a comeback, SuperSport introduced Vincent Pule and Christian Saile for Dzvukamanja and Quaicoe in the closing ten minutes. They managed to score a vital equalizer through Gape Moralo in the dying moments of stoppage time, sending the match into extra time.
Veteran striker Grobler took an early shot at the beginning of extra time, but Chaine was well-positioned to make the save. On the opposite end, Van Rooyen’s low shot forced Goss into action, with the follow-up cleared for a corner in the 99th minute.
With little action in front of either net, both teams entered the halftime of extra time level. Following a quick steal in midfield, Saile found himself in a scoring position, but the Kaizer Chiefs loanee’s right-footed shot went wide early in the second half. SuperSport bolstered their defense by substituting Eric Mbangoussoum for Moralo.
The industrious Hotto nearly gave the Soweto giants the lead in the 113th minute, but Goss showcased his resilience once again. The Matsatsantsa goalkeeper denied the Namibian international again just three minutes later, securing the stalemate after 120 minutes. In the penalty shootout, Chaine saved attempts from Pule and Saile, allowing the Soweto giants to advance to the next round.
