A 10-man Moroka Swallows caused a major upset when they defeated Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the quarterfinal of the Absa Cup at the Johannesburg Stadium on Sunday.
The Birds led 1-0 at half-time.
It was a goal deep into injury time from Birds substitute Alois Ngwerume that sealed his team’s place in the semifinal draw of this lucrative competition.
The Birds were reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute when defender Tshiamo Seneo was sent off by referee Petros Mathabela for a second bookable offence.
But the Birds failed to wilt under the pressure and deserved their place in their last four of the Premier Soccer league premier knockout competition.
Swallows finished the stronger side in a dull first half in which neither side managed to get into top gear.
But it was the Birds who broke the deadlock when Zambian striker Dennis Lota managed to score in the 26th minute from a goal-mouth melee.
Pirates failed to rise to the challenge and rarely tested Greg Etafia in the Swallows goal.
Pirates showed more urgency in the second half but their poor finishing was their downfall. Even when Swallows were reduced to 10 men, Pirates failed to capitalise and have only themselves to blame for losing. — Sapa