HT: Pirates 2-0 Sekhukhune
by Kickoff writer · KickOffOrlando Pirates have gone into halftime leading 2-0 in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final against Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
The advantage from the first-leg favoured the Buccaneers following their narrow victory last Saturday in Polokwane, but Babina Noko wasn’t keen to go down without a fight and needed an outright victory by two or more unanswered goals to stay alive.
In the third successive instalment, the Buccaneers looked for a fast start in the earlier exchanges right when a low curling shot by Oswin Appollis forced Toaster Nsabata to stretch to the near post and palmed.
Pirates continued piling on the pressure towards the half-hour mark and were close to taking the lead with a pin-point header by Ghampani Lungu from a corner, but a speculator one-hand stop by Nsabata denied the Zambian.
Following constant pressure, Babina Noko altered their stall ten minutes to the end of the first half and substituted D’Angelo Kazeem for Tsepo Mokoena to step up and filled in.
The change make matters better as the Buccaneers raced in front a minute later when Appollis worked a turnover from a corner to the far side for Yanela Mbuthuma who cutback to the far post for Thapelo Mokobodi to tuck into the bottom-corner.
Mbuthuma made another foray in the pockets of the area and released the on-rushing Lungu to finish first-time into the near corner with the visitors caught square and their backs to goal.
Here's how they line up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Sebelebele, Seema, Zulu, Ndaba, Selepe, Mthiyane, Mokobodi, Lungu, Appollis, Mbuthuma.
Subs: Dladla, Masilela, Dansin, Padime, Msendami, Chabatsane, Radiopane, Moremi, Hotto.
Sekhukhune United: Nsabata, Ndlozi, Matsimbi, Cardoso, Kazeem, Khupe, Mkhize, Rammala, Mojela, Muzeu, Ndlovu.
Subs: Sapunga, Mobbie, Tlaka, Mcaba, Khiba, Mokoena, Phiri, Mahlangu.