Orlando Pirates are as little as 90 minutes away from a fifth successive MTN8 title after they defeated Sekhukhune United 3-0 (4-0 on aggregate) in the second leg of their semifinal tie, played at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The Buccaneers added to their 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Polokwane via first-half goals from Thapelo Mokobodi and Ghampani Lungu, as well as a late strike from Kamogelo Sebelebele. Babina Noko put up a spirited fight in the second half, but the Soweto giants were able to see themselves over the line with relative comfort.
Pirates created early attacking pressure to force Sekhukhune onto the back foot. In fact, the visitors were lucky not to go down to 10 men midway through the first half when left-back D’Angelo Kazeem, already on a yellow card, did not pick up a second caution for a blatant pull-back on Ghampani Lungu. The defender was substituted a while later to avoid the danger of a red card.
Sekhukhune goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata made an outstanding reflex save in the 28th minute, shooting an arm out to turn away Thapelo Mokobodi’s goal-bound header from a corner kick.
However, Mokobodi was able to break the deadlock – and put Pirates 2-0 up on aggregate – when he arrived late in the box to turn home Yanela Mbuthuma’s excellent assist from the left in the 37th minute.
The Buccaneers effectively killed off the cup tie two minutes later with a sweeping counter-attack from a Sekhukhune corner. Led by the running power of Oswin Appollis, Mbuthuma was then able to feed Lungu, who crashed home a powerful drive from just inside the box for a 2-0 lead on the day, and 3-0 advantage overall.
PIRATES RELAX IN SECOND HALF
With a comfortable position, the hosts took their foot off the pedal in the second half and allowed Sekhukhune to build up attacking pressure.
In the 54th minute, Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made a sharp save at his near post to keep out a shot from a tight angle by Siyabonga Ndlozi, and Givemore Khupe headed over the target a few seconds later.
Chaine made another notable save on the hour mark, turning away an effort from Mpho Rammala, and nine minutes later Sbangani Zulu made a crucial block on Bright Ndlovu – with a growing sense of Pirates having lost their rhythm and control of the match.
Yet Bucs did improve in the final quarter of the match and should have added to their advantage late on when they teed up substitute Tshepang Moremi, but the winger was denied by the on-rushing Nsabata.
The third goal arrived deep in injury time, with Pirates putting together a superb team goal which was capped off by a crisp finish from Kamogelo Sebelebele.
Pirates will face either Golden Arrows or Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2026 MTN8 final, scheduled for Saturday 10 October.
Orlando Pirates (2) 3 (Mokobodi 37’, Lungu 39’, Sebelebele 90+4’)
Sekhukhune United 0
Pirates won 4-0 on aggregate
PIRATES: Chaine, Sebelebele, Seema (Chabatsane 62’), Zulu, Ndaba, Mthiyane, Mokobodi, Lungu (Padime 84’), Selepe (Masilela 75’), Appollis (Moremi 74’), Mbuthuma (Radiopane 62’)
SEKHUKHUNE: Nsabata, Ndlozi, Matsimbi, Cardoso, Kazeem (Mokoena 36’), Khupe (Khiba 64’), Mkhize, Mojela (Phiri 64’), Muzeu (Mahlangu 72’), Rammala, Ndlovu