Moremi And Makgopa Fire Pirates Into Carling Knockout Semi-Finals

Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa scored stunning goals as Orlando Pirates defeated Magesi FC 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.

After being denied by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and the upright in the first half, Pirates finally broke the deadlock through Moremi, who unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box to beat Chipezeze hands down in the second half.

With just a few minutes remaining, Bafana Bafana striker Makgopa made it 2-0, turning sharply inside the area before firing past the sprawling Chipezeze. With minutes added, John Mokone scored with a deflection from his body to get a consolation goal for Magesi, but it was not enough as Pirates sealed their 15th semi-final appearance in this competition.

Pirates became the third side to book their place in the last four, joining KwaZulu-Natal clubs Richards Bay and Golden Arrows. The final quarter-final fixture will see Marumo Gallants host defending champions Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday.

It was a much-needed redemption for Pirates, who entered the match wounded after crashing out of the CAF Champions League on penalties against St Eloi Lupopo at the same venue on Saturday.

Seeking fresh motivation, the Buccaneers unveiled a limited-edition third kit before the game — worn for the first time against John Maduka’s side, who had dumped them out in the first round of this competition last season.

Magesi, who went on to lift the trophy last term, had scored three first-half goals in that encounter to take the game away from Pirates. Although the Soweto giants fought back with two goals after the break, they lost 3-2 on the day.

Pirates started brightly this time, with Yanela Mbuthuma — who, along with Deon Hotto, missed a crucial penalty against Lupopo — forcing an early save from Chipezeze, who parried away his powerful effort.

The hosts kept pressing, and Masindi Nemtajela, the scorer of the opener in their 3-0 victory over Lupopo, drew another fine stop from Chipezeze, who reacted sharply to deny him.

Against the run of play, Magesi nearly struck first when Kgomotso Mosadi sliced wide with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine completely wrong-footed.

Mbuthuma came close again before the half-hour mark, rattling the post from a Nkosikhona Ndaba cross after another flowing move. Moments later, Ndaba surged down the left flank and found Oswin Appollis inside the box, but the Bafana Bafana international scooped his effort wide when well-placed.

Pirates kept piling on the pressure, and Mbuthuma once again drew a brilliant save from Chipezeze after a teasing cross from Moremi.

Four minutes into the second half, Edmore Chirambandare turned Thabiso Lebitso and fired on the turn, only to see his shot crash against the crossbar — a warning sign for the Buccaneers.

Soon after, Pirates were denied by the woodwork themselves when Appollis unleashed a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar, the second time they had hit the frame of the goal in the match.

But their persistence finally paid off in the 51st minute when Moremi rifled his effort into the roof of the net from the edge of the box — a goal fully deserving of Pirates’ dominance.

Magesi came close to equalising when Abbey Seseane struck the post from a tight angle with Chaine beaten.

However, substitute Makgopa wrapped up the result for Pirates with a composed finish late in the game. Magesi, though, grabbed a consolation goal when Mokone’s deflected shot wrong-footed Chaine — but it was not enough as Pirates advanced to the last four.