Pirates edge City to advance into MTN8 semifinals
Pirates edge City to advance into MTN8 semifinals after Orlando Pirates produced a dramatic late winner to defeat Durban City 2-1 in their MTN8 quarter-final at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
The Buccaneers were forced to work extremely hard for their place in the last four after Durban City played most of the match with 10 men. Despite enjoying numerical superiority for a large part of the contest, Pirates could not put the game to bed during the regulation 90 minutes.
The match eventually went into extra time, with penalties appearing increasingly likely. However, new signing Gamphani Lungu delivered the decisive moment in the final minute, scoring a spectacular volley to send the defending champions into another MTN8 semi-final.
Orlando Pirates survive Durban City test
Orlando Pirates entered the quarter-final looking to continue their remarkable run in the MTN8. The Soweto giants have dominated the competition in recent seasons and were aiming to keep their hopes of a fifth consecutive title alive.
However, Durban City proved to be far more difficult opponents than the scoreline might suggest.
Pirates controlled much of the opening stages and created several opportunities, but Durban City goalkeeper Fredrick Asare kept his team in the contest with important saves.
Thalente Mbatha was among the first Pirates players to seriously test the goalkeeper, while Tshepang Moremi also threatened as the home side attempted to break through City’s defensive structure.
The pressure eventually resulted in a major turning point before half-time.
Brooklyn Poggenpoel, already on a yellow card, was penalised after bringing down Moremi inside the penalty area. The challenge resulted in a penalty for Pirates and a second yellow card for Poggenpoel.
The Durban City midfielder was consequently sent off, leaving his team with 10 players for the remainder of the match.
Patrick Maswanganyi gives Pirates the lead
Patrick Maswanganyi took responsibility from the penalty spot and made no mistake.
His composed finish gave Orlando Pirates a 1-0 advantage in the 37th minute and appeared to put the defending champions in a strong position.
With an extra player and the lead, Pirates were expected to increase the pressure and potentially secure a comfortable victory.
Durban City, however, refused to collapse.
The visitors remained organised and continued looking for opportunities on the counterattack. Their persistence eventually paid off shortly after the interval.
Durban City fight back with 10 men
Despite being reduced to 10 players, Durban City produced an impressive response in the second half.
Gaston Sirino created the opening after exploiting space in the Pirates defence before setting up Jean Lwamba.
Lwamba kept his composure from close range and found the back of the net to make it 1-1.
The equaliser changed the mood of the match.
Instead of comfortably controlling proceedings, Pirates suddenly faced a determined Durban City side that appeared capable of forcing the game beyond regulation time.
Orlando Pirates continued to dominate possession and territory, but their finishing let them down.
Moremi came close in the latter stages of the second half, while substitute Kabelo Kgositsile also had an opportunity that was blocked by the Durban City defence.
Asare continued to play an important role for City, producing saves whenever Pirates threatened.
The 1-1 scoreline remained unchanged after 90 minutes, sending the MTN8 quarter-final into extra time.
MTN8 semifinal secured in dramatic fashion
Extra time followed much of the same pattern.
Pirates pushed forward in search of a winner while Durban City defended desperately and looked to survive until penalties.
Moremi struck the woodwork during extra time, while other Pirates attempts were either saved by Asare or failed to find the target.
With the clock approaching 120 minutes, the possibility of a penalty shootout appeared increasingly likely.
Then came the decisive moment.
A corner created uncertainty inside the Durban City penalty area. The ball fell favourably for Gamphani Lungu, who produced a superb volley from the edge of the box.
The new Pirates signing struck the ball cleanly and sent it beyond Asare, giving Orlando Pirates a 2-1 lead in the final minute of extra time.
There was barely enough time for Durban City to respond.
The goal secured Pirates’ passage into the MTN8 semi-finals and completed a dramatic comeback from the defending champions.
Gamphani Lungu becomes the hero
For Lungu, the goal was an ideal way to announce himself in Orlando Pirates colours.
The new signing had the composure to remain alert during the final stages of a physically demanding match and then produced the quality required to settle the contest.
His late strike has immediately made him one of the talking points surrounding Pirates’ MTN8 campaign.
More importantly, the goal ensured that the Buccaneers’ title defence remained intact.
Orlando Pirates have now taken another step towards what would be their fifth successive MTN8 title.
Durban City leave with plenty of credit
Although Durban City were eliminated, their performance will provide encouragement for the remainder of the season.
Playing for more than half the match with 10 men against one of South Africa’s strongest knockout sides was always going to be a difficult challenge.
Yet City managed to equalise and force Pirates into an additional 30 minutes.
Their defensive organisation and goalkeeper Asare’s performance were particularly important in keeping the score level for so long.
The defeat nevertheless ends Durban City’s MTN8 campaign at the quarter-final stage.
For Pirates, meanwhile, the result demonstrates the importance of persistence in knockout football.
Pirates’ defence still faces questions
While the victory will be welcomed by Orlando Pirates supporters, the match also exposed areas that the coaching staff may want to address.
Conceding an equaliser against a 10-man opponent will raise questions about defensive concentration.
Pirates created enough chances to win the game comfortably but were unable to convert those opportunities until the final minute of extra time.
The team’s ability to turn possession and pressure into goals will therefore remain an important issue as the competition progresses.
The late victory also highlights the depth available to the Buccaneers, with Lungu coming off the bench to produce the decisive contribution.
What the result means for Orlando Pirates
The victory keeps Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 title defence alive and puts them one step away from another final.
The Buccaneers’ recent dominance of the competition has created enormous expectations, and Saturday’s result will only increase those expectations.
However, the narrow victory also serves as a warning.
Against stronger opposition, Pirates may not have the luxury of wasting so many chances or allowing an opponent with 10 men to remain in contention for 120 minutes.
The MTN8 semi-final will provide another major test of their ability to handle pressure.
For now, however, the focus will be on the achievement.
Pirates edge City to advance into MTN8 semifinals, with Maswanganyi opening the scoring and Lungu delivering the dramatic winner.
The Buccaneers remain in the hunt for another MTN8 trophy, while Durban City can take pride in pushing the defending champions all the way to the final minute of extra time.
YOU MAY LIKE:
Next fixtures
Both teams will now turn their attention to Betway Premiership action.
Orlando Pirates are scheduled to face AmaZulu, while Durban City will return to league action against Golden Arrows.
For Pirates, the immediate priority will be maintaining momentum after their dramatic MTN8 qualification.
The victory over Durban City may not have been the straightforward quarter-final many expected, but it ultimately delivered the result the Buccaneers needed.
With the MTN8 semi-finals now secured, Pirates’ pursuit of another piece of silverware continues.
References from mainstream media
References
- SABC Sport — Orlando Pirates defeat 10-man Durban City in extra-time to reach MTN8 semi-finals.
Read the SABC Sport report - BusinessLive — Lungu’s last-gasp strike takes Pirates to the semifinals of the MTN8.
Read the BusinessLive report - News24 — Pirates’ new hero Lungu books Sea Robbers spot in MTN8 last four.
Read the News24 report - Sowetan — Lungu stunner sends Bucs to MTN8 semis.
Read the Sowetan report
Support Independent Journalism with eKayNews! 📰✨
At eKayNews, we are dedicated to bringing you honest, independent, and reliable news. But we can’t do it alone—independent journalism relies on the strength and generosity of its community.
If you value our work, please consider supporting us today! You can help keep us going by choosing a subscription or simply buying us a one-off virtual coffee:
👉 Support us here: ekaynews.co.za/subscribe-form/
You can also support our mission by visiting our main site at www.ekaynews.co.za and following @eKayNews on all social media platforms.
Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for being part of our journey! 🙏💙
