Chaine The Hero As Pirates Dump Out SuperSport In Shootout

Orlando Pirates advanced to the Nedbank Cup semifinals for the third season in a row under Jose Riveiro following their 5-4 victory over SuperSport United in a penalty shootout after the two teams played to a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes.

Matsatsantsa signaled their intent from the onset with a snapshot from Ghampani Lungu, forcing Sipho Chaine into making a fine save in the 1st minute. Evidence Makgopa failed to punish the hosts’ mistake at the back a few moments later as the ball was stolen from him whilst he was still deciding.

Mohau Nkota was set up by Makgopa’s backheel in the 25th minute but the speedy winger’s shot sailed over the bar. On the other end, Ghanaian winger Enoch Quaicoe threatened to break the deadlock, however his shot went across the face of the goal.

From a corner that stemmed from SuperSport’s causality at the back, 19-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was making his second appearance of the season after debuting against Chippa United on Wednesday, opened the scoring with a scorcher into the top corner in the 29th minute.

Cult hero Makgopa was played in on goal by Nkota but the striker seemed to have left his scoring boots at home as his right-footed strike found the side netting. Relebohile Mofokeng, in the no.10 role, forced Ricardo Goss into a full stretch save with a curling shot from outside the box.

Former Pirates forward Terrence Dzvukamanja leveled matters for the Tshwane side in the 42nd minute after Chaine left his line for a route one ball from Goss, but miscommunication with his center-backs allowed the Zimbabwean to net with no shot-stopper in sight.

Makgopa restored parity for the Buccaneers on the stroke of halftime, following SuperSport’s sloppiness and lack of pressure at the back as Nkota’s cross found Deon Hotto, whose scuffed shot fell kindly to the Limpopo-born player for a lead heading into the break.

The Spartans tweaked their team with the introduction of youngster Oratilwe Moloisane for Lungu as Bucs kicked off the second stanza. Looking for an equalizer again, SuperSport fizzed an inviting ball into the box which was alertly dealt with by Makhehleni Makhaula five minutes from the restart.

Both teams added ammo in their arsenal after the hour mark with Bradley Grobler and Neo Rapoo replacing Siphesihle Ndlovu and Aphiwe Baliti. Meanwhile, Patrick Maswanganyi, Goodman Mosele and Deano Van Rooyen came in for Nkota, Thalente Mbatha and Siyabonga Ndlozi respectively.

In search of a response, SuperSport turned to Vincent Pule and Christian Saile, withdrawing Dzvukamanja and Quaicoe in the last 10 minutes. They eventually found the crucial goal through Gape Moralo deep in stoppage time to send the game into extra time.

Veteran striker Grobler pulled the trigger five minutes into extra time, but Chaine was well positioned to deal with the attempt. At the opposite end, Van Rooyen’s low drilled shot forced Goss into making a save, with the follow through cleared for a corner in the 99th minute.

Little goal mouth action so the two sides go into half time level. After a quick steal in the middle of the park, Saile was through on goal, but the Kaizer Chiefs loanee’s right-footed shot went wide off the target early in the second half. Looking to protect their defense, SuperSport brought in Eric Mbangoussoum for Moralo. The

hardworking Hotto came close to giving the Soweto giants the lead in the 113th minute, however, Goss was equal to the task.

The Matsatsantsa goal-minder denied the Namibian international yet again three minutes later to keep it level after 120 minutes. Chaine Saved Pule and Saile’s penalties as the Soweto giants marched on to the next round.