Defending champions Orlando Pirates took advantage in their MTN 8 semi-final tie against Sekhukhune United by winning the first leg 1-0 at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, thanks to a Dion Hotto goal.
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made two changes to the side from their last league match, starting Mthetheleli Mthiyane and Simphiwe Masilela for Camren Dansin who dropped to the bench and Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi who was out of the match-day squad altogether.
Meanwhile, the home side also made two changes with Nyiko Mobbie and Karabo Tlaka getting starts, as Tshepo Mashiloane missed the game due to contractual obligations and Khupe injured.
Pirates could have broken the deadlock inside the opening five minutes after Yanela Mbuthuma distracted the defence to give Masilela a chance to score but the latter’s effort went wide.
It was the Buccaneers who controlled the game and creating more goal scoring chances however being let down by their final touch. Thapelo Mokobodi found his captain Nkosinathi Sibisi in the 16th minute but Sibisi’s header missed the target. Two minutes after the half hour mark the visitors won a set-piece but Oswin Appollis sent it into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Eight minutes from that there was another free-kick for Pirates, Hotto struck it powerfully only to force Melusi Buthelezi to make a super save. Sekhukhune’s only real chance at goal in the half came from Ellis Rammala and it went wide five minutes to the break.
Babina Noko lived to regret that as Ghampani Lungu set-up Hotto in the 43rd minute and the latter broke the deadlock. Kamogelo Sebelebele missed a chance to make it 2-0 in the injury-time as his tame effort went wide.
Both sides made a change each at the start of the second stanza, with Dansin coming on for Masilela for Pirates and Lehlohonolo Mojela making way for Thabo Nkwana for Sekhukhune. Pirates won a set-piece two minutes into the half, Hotto struck the ball into the box where it found Daniel Cardoso who cleared with his head however, the ball fell on Appollis’ feet and he struck a powerful short that just missed target.
Sekhukhune almost equalised through Nkwana in the 59th minute shooting from the right but Sipho Chaine did well tip the ball out for a corner. New sigining Sebastien Pedesern who made his debut as one of the second half substitutes missed a chance to double Pirates’ lead late in the game, shooting over the bar one on one with Buthelezi.
The tie will be decided at the Amstel Arena next weekend just after the Betway Premiership match between the sides on Tuesday at the same venue.