Orlando Pirates opened the defence of their MTN8 title with a 3-1 win (after extra time) over SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
The quarterfinal tie was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, but the Buccaneers – who were the more proactive and cohesive team throughout – ultimately surged to victory on the back of extra time strikes from Monnapule Saleng and Evidence Makgopa.
SuperSport looked the more dangerous team in the opening quarter hour, but Pirates soon found their rhythm and began to exert major pressure on the visiting team’s defence.
On 17 minutes Patrick Maswanganyi sparked a brilliant passing move that cut through United’s midfield and backline before Relebohile Mofokeng scooped a shot over the target.
Midway through the first half Tshegofatso Mabsasa had his first sight of goal, turning and shooting from just inside the penalty area to force a sharp save from SuperSport’s Ricardo Goss.
And the goalkeeper was in action again on the half-hour mark, getting a fingertip to Maswanganyi’s deflected shot which threatened to find the bottom corner.
The Buccaneers’ pressure finally paid dividends in the 44th minute, with Monnapule Saleng driving a low cross from the right of the penalty which was turned home with a classy and composed flick by Olisa Ndah for 1-0.
The hosts led at the break, but parity was restored just four minutes after the restart, with Bradley Grobler providing an intelligent headed assist for former Pirates player Vincent Pule to nod home from close range for 1-1.
The hosts pushed hard to reclaim the lead but around the hour mark they were twice denied by brilliant saves from Goss – the first saw him recover after being wrong-footed by a deflection to claw the ball away before it crossed the line, while the second saw him do just enough to divert a Mofokeng shot onto the upright.
Goss was in action again on 76 minutes, keeping out a drive from Saleng, though United were lucky that Mabasa was unable to find the target with an awkward volley from the rebound.
They were made to work for it but in the end Orlando Pirates book their spot in the semifinals of the #MTN8 ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2024
It's the end of the road for Matsatsantsa ❌ pic.twitter.com/22ilEAEmOV
Pirates kept searching for a winning goal right up to the end of regulation time, but ultimately an extra 30 minutes was called for.
Yet the Soweto side needed less than 120 seconds of the extra time to make it 2-1, with a superbly-worked set piece seeing Kabelo Dlamini tee up Saleng to score at close range.
Matsatsantsa should have responded immediately, though substitute Thabang Mahlangu was unable to capitalise, while in the 105th minute a great chance was created for Nyiko Mobbie, but he was denied by a point-blank save from Sipho Chaine.
Bucs stretched their lead to 3-1 early in the second half of extra time, as substitute Evidence Makgopa stroked a loose ball into an empty net after Goss had way off his line to close down Saleng.
They were made to work for it but in the end Orlando Pirates book their spot in the semifinals of the #MTN8 ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 3, 2024
It's the end of the road for Matsatsantsa ❌ pic.twitter.com/22ilEAEmOV
SuperSport manager Gavin Hunt reacted furiously to what he believed was an offside for Saleng, and was shown a red card by the referee, summing up a frustrating match for the men from Tshwane.
The MTN8 continues on Sunday 4 August with Stellenbosch FC v TS Galaxy at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Orlando Pirates (1) (1) 3 (Ndah 44’, Saleng 92’, Makgopa 107’)
SuperSport United (0) (1) 1 (Pule 49’)
After extra time
Pirates: Chaine, Monyane (Sibisi 98’), Sesane, Ndah, Hotto, Makhaula (Dlamini 72’), Mbatha (Baloni 114’), Mofokeng (Kimvuidi 91’), Maswanganyi, Saleng (Maela 114’), Mabasa (Makgopa 85’)
SuperSport: Goss, Mobbie, Ayer (Moralo 63’), Hlatshwayo, Sanoka, Poggenpoel (Muthewi 107’), Rapoo (Baliti 75’), Margeman (Baloyi 75’), Pule, Dzvukamanja (Matsio 76’), Grobler (Mahlangu 59’)