Kamogelo Sebelebele’s late heroics rescued a 1-1 draw for Orlando Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal clash at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
The speedy winger, who joined the Buccaneers from TS Galaxy less than a month ago, endeared himself to the Pirates faithful with an incredible display of pace leading to his equaliser.
Captained by 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the absence of Nkosinathi Sibisi, Pirates struggled to convert their chances and were caught offside six times in the first half alone before Sebelebele’s sumptuous equaliser in the dying stages.
The Buccaneers started intently as Kamogelo Sebelebele made a brilliant solo run down the right-hand side to beat Aubrey Modiba in the first minute. However, he found himself isolated in the box and his pass to Patrick Maswanganyi on the edge of the box was cut out.
A spot in the #MTN8 final will be decided at Lucas Moripe Stadium ⏩#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/SIs8iJWsk4
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 16, 2025
Sundowns found a gap in Pirates' defense on the edge of the box in the sixth minute, sending Tashreeq Matthews in on goal. However, his effort would not count as he was ruled offside.
Sundowns suffered a big blow early on as captain Themba Zwane was stretchered off in the 13th minute, replaced by Bafana Bafana starlet Jayden Adams.
In the 21st minute, Sebelebele was set loose from a midfield pass and beat a rushing Ronwen Williams, but his effort was discounted as he was offside.
Sebelebele was at the centre of the action again in the 26th minute, missing a golden opportunity across the face of goal. He got a touch to Hotto’s cross but could not direct his effort on target.
In the 36th minute, Rayners received the ball in the box but hesitated when he should have shot and was closed down by Mbokazi, who sent the ball behind for a corner.
MOKOENA NODS SUNDOWNS AHEAD
Sundowns struck from the resulting set piece as Marcello Allende’s delivery found an open Mokoena, whose header could not be kept off the line by Maswanganyi, putting Masandawana in front.
Sipho Chaine denied Sundowns a second with a fantastic double save two minutes later, first stopping Arthur Sales’ long-range effort before saving Tashreeq Matthews’ second attempt from close range.
In the 52nd minute, Relebohile Mofokeng found Evidence Makgopa with a creative lob over the Brazilians’ defence and into the box, but the striker slipped at the vital moment and could not get a shot off.
Rayners continued to cause trouble for Pirates' backline as he broke into the box in the 57th minute but was initially stopped by Mbokazi. He managed to collect the loose ball and fire a shot, which was stopped by Chaine at the near post.
Mofokeng forced Williams into action in the 80th minute after being played in by substitute Tshepang Moremi, with the keeper denying the youngster his first contribution of the season.
Sebelebele struck in the 87th minute to give Pirates a well-deserved equaliser. He was sent loose by Mbokazi and charged down the right-hand side, beating Williams, who slipped, to draw his side level.
Sebelebele finally gets through Ronwen's door 😤☠️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 16, 2025
📺 Stream #MTN8 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/kedxX41xna
Pirates pressed for a winner in the dying stages but could not create one, leaving the two sides level going into the second leg at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville next Saturday.
The Buccaneers will offer a potential preview of the MTN8 final when they face Stellenbosch in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.
Masandawana also return to league action on Wednesday, travelling to Limpopo to face Magesi at the Seshego Stadium.
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Sebelebele 87’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Mokoena 36’)
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, L. Seema, M. Mbokazi, D. van Rooyen (O. Appolis 62’), D. Hotto, S. Nduli, T. Mbatha (S. Mbule 62’) P. Maswanganyi (T. Moremi 71’), K. Sebelebele, R. Mofokeng, E. Makgopa (B. Radiopane 88’)
Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, G. Kekana, K. Cupido, Z. Mdunyelwa, T. Mokoena, M. Allende, A. Modiba (B. Aubaas 82’), T. Matthews (P. Shalulile 82’), T. Zwane (J. Adams 15’), A. Sales (D. Lunga 70’), I. Rayners