Sea Robbers sink SuperSport

If this is what the 2024-2025 season has in store for us, bring it on. 

In a wild night of football in the heart of Soweto, two teams walked through the storm but Orlando Pirates came out with a 3-1 MTN quarterfinal win and a chance to defend their crown. 

Monnapule Saleng and Evidence Makgopa scored during extra time after 90 minutes following goals by Pirates’ Olisa Ndah and United’s Vincent Pule, a former Bucs player. 

In front of a bouncing, near-capacity crowd, the clubs dished out an action-packed, high-tempo football match with countless notable moments — and the only thing missing was a streaker running onto the pitch. 

There were a number of handball incidents that could have changed the course of this absorbing encounter, but referee Abongile Tom did not point to the spot and this has opened the VAR debate yet again. 

To add to the four goals, in extra-time United coach Gavin Hunt got a red card for remonstrating with the referee in the dying minutes.

The way this encounter was competitive for 120 minutes, you would not say it was the first official match of the season, and credit must go to the conditioning coaches for having produced players who did not show any signs of rustiness.   

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro started the match with a team that featured last season, with key players like Sipho Chaine between the poles ahead of Melusi Buthelezi. 

At the back, injured Tapelo Xoki missed out and Nkosinathi Sibisi only made the bench as Riveiro went with Ndah and Thabiso Sesane, with Thabiso Monyane and Deon Hotto on the sides. 

In the midfield, the Spaniard went with creative Patrick Maswanganyi, who was supported by defensive-minded Thalente Mbatha and Makhehleni Makhaula. 

Relebohile Mofokeng, Monnapule Saleng and Tshegofatso Mabasa were part of the three-pronged attack.  

Hunt went with most of his tried and tested in goalkeeper Ricard Goss, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Neo Rapoo, Grant Margeman, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Bradley Grobler. 

Hunt also showed faith in new signings Pule, Pogiso Sanoka, Nyiko Mobbie, Keanin Ayer, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel, and they repaid his faith with commendable performances.

The first dramatic moment came inside five minutes when Monyane was given a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Pule. 

Pirates responded after 16 minutes when they put together a breathtaking attack inspired by Maswanganyi. The move, however, ended with the ball on the stands after Mofokeng fluffed the ball over the crossbar. 

United were denied what looked like a penalty by Tom after Monyane appeared to handle the ball in the box after 20 minutes, and there was a similar handball incident by a United player but the referee waved play-on. 

The goal finally arrived after 44 minutes when Ndah put the ball in the empty net with a cheeky back heel after he connected with a pass from Saleng. United didn’t take long to equalise, as Pule headed home from close range four minutes after the restart, finishing a ball that was laid on by Grobler. 

There were two highlights around the hour mark when Goss had to produce two stunning saves to deny Mbatha and Mofokeng, as Pirates upped the tempo in a bid to increase their lead. 

Then Saleng and Makgopa scored two goals and Kabelo Dlamini hit the upright during extra-time as the Buccaneers reached the semifinals in swashbuckling style.  

Scorers:

Orlando Pirates (1) 3 – Olisa Ndah (44m); Monnapule Saleng (92m), Evidence Mkgopa (107m)

SuperSport (0) 1 – Vincent Pule (49m)