/ 24 September 2013

Orlando Pirates off to MTN 8 final

Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates gets tackled during the MTN 8 match with Kaizer Chiefs.
Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates gets tackled during the MTN 8 match with Kaizer Chiefs. (Getty)

A second half penalty shot by Lennox Bacela gave Orlando Pirates their ticket to the final of the MTN8 cup competition, after they played to a 1-all draw against Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday.

The result at Orlando stadium gave Pirates a 2-1 aggregate win, sending them to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban for the final on September 28.

The first half got off to furious start where both sides had great chances to open the scoring, with the first real opportunity of the match coming inside the first 10 minutes when Siphiwe Tshabalala's cross found Willard Katsande inside the box. But the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder showed why he is more renowned for his tackling than his goal scoring, by blazing his effort over the cross bar and into the stands.

Pirates responded with a chance of their own when Kermit Erasmus, who was the Bucaneers' stand-out player of the first half, found space just in front of the half way line and went on a driving run, which ended in a shot that went inches wide of Itumeleng Khune's goal.

The opening goal came 10 minutes before half-time with Tshabalala as the provider.

His corner was met by Tefo Mashamaite's head, forcing a sharp reaction save out of Senzo Meyiwa.

However, the Pirates keeper, could not do anything to prevent Bernard Parker from tapping in, to give Chiefs a 1-0 lead going into half-time.

Pirates came out fighting
Pirates came out fighting in the second half and immediately went in search of the equaliser.

With a place in the MTN8 final at stake, the fouls began to mount.

Referee Daniel Bennett issued over five yellow cards, but his greatest influence on the game came when he pointed to the penalty spot after Chiefs defender, Morgan Gould, was adjudged to have fouled Pirates' Rooi Mahamusta in the box.

Lennox Bacela calmly slotted the ball past Khune to level the match at one-all.

Lehlohonolo Majoro had a chance to win it for Chiefs in the dying moments of the referees optional time.

The striker showed great skill to control and find space inside the crowded Pirates box, but he fired his effort wide. – Sapa