Orlando Pirates labour past Durban City to make MTN8 semi-final

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Orlando Pirates labour past Durban City to make MTN8 semi-final
Oswin Appollis, Orlando Pirates vs Durban City, Image: Pirates

Gamphani Lungu struck deep into extra time to help Orlando Pirates get past stubborn Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-final game staged at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.

Bucs came into the game hoping to deliver another win in the domestic competition, just a week after a 2-0 win in the Premier Soccer League outing against newbies Milford FC.

This explains why coach Abdeslam Ouaddou named a strong team to avoid elimination in the quarter-final.

Tito strikes, advantage Bucs!

Pirates started the game quite well in search of an early goal, dominating proceedings from the first whistle. Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Yanela Mbuthuma missed some good opportunities to find the back of the net inside the first 30 minutes or so.

The defending champions finally got a massive opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net in the 35th minute. Brooklyn Poggenpoel committed a foul in the area on Moremi, resulting to a send-off.

Patrick Maswanganyi rose for the occassion, to give Pirates a lead.

It could have ended with two or more goals in favour of the Sea Robbers before the break, but a lack of composure in the danger zone cost them.

Durban

The Citizens managed to get their equaliser in the 52nd minute; former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Gaston Sirino found Jean Lwamba whose shot beat Sipho Chaine to make it 1-1.

The lively Moremi missed yet another chance in the 58th minute, with Mbuthuma doing all the donkey work. Fredrick Asare had to be alert five minutes later to deny Appollis, who had taken a shot from outside the area.

The custodian denied Boitumelo Radiopane, Maswanganyi, and Kabelo Kgositsile as the Citizens pushed Bucs to extra time where they had to wait for Lungu to strike the winner.

Bucs will now be hoping to go all the way and win their fifth MTN8 crown in a row.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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