Pirates to face Celtic in MTN8 final

by Bertin Basson

Sunday Nov 08, 2020. 17:28

Orlando Pirates will face Bloemfontein Celtic in the 2020 MTN8 final following a comprehensive 2-0 (5-0 on aggregate) win over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Sunday.

Goals from Fortune Makaringe and Linda Mntambo spearheaded the Buccaneers to victory as they booked their place in the final of South Africa’s top-eight competition for the first time in six years.

Chiefs dominated a first half of few chances with Pirates seemingly content in defending their comprehensive lead.

The Amakhosi finally conjured an attempt at goal in the 59th minute with Siphelele Ntshangase unlucky to see his shot cannon off the woodwork and away from danger.

Pirates made good use of the slice of good fortune and raced up the other end of the park to open the scoring. Daniel Akpeyi could only succeed in palming Deon Hotto’s attempt straight to Makaringe who was left with the easy task of poking the ball into an empty net.

The Buccaneers doubled their advantage in the 80th minute. With Chiefs bodies committed up field, Pirates broke on the counter once more and after Hotto played through Mntambo the midfielder kept his cool to finish past an isolated Akpeyi.

Chiefs’ day went from bad to worse as Erick Mathoho received his marching orders for a second bookable offence in second-half stoppage time. In the end, Pirates were convincing winners over two legs as they now aim to add to the MTN8 titles they won in 2010 and 2011.

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0

Orlando Pirates (0) 2 (Makaringe 59′ Mntambo 80′)

Kaizer Chiefs: Akpeyi; Frosler (Ntshangase 29′), Cardoso, Mathoho, Sasman, Agay, Blom, Manyama (Kambole 63′), Parker (Ngcobo 78′), Billiat, Castro (Lesako 78′).

Orlando Pirates: Ofori; Jooste, Hlatshwayo, Nyauza, Maela (Mabaso 81′), Motshwari (Ndlovu 81′), Monare, Makaringe (Mntambo 71′), Pule (Mako 71′), Hotto (Makgaka 81′), Lepasa.