Buccaneers edge Simba to advance in Confed Cup

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Apr 24, 2022. 21:18

Orlando Pirates edged Simba SC 4-3 on penalties at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday to book a place in the final four of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Buccaneers won the second leg 1-0 courtesy of Kwame Peprah’s 60th-minute goal to level the aggregate score in the quarterfinals after the Lions had emerged 1-0 victors in the first leg last weekend.

Richard Ofori was the hero in shootout, saving Jonas Mkude’s attempt first up before slotting home the deciding spot-kick himself to keep his team’s African dream alive.

Pirates went in search of an early goal to settle the nerves and get themselves back in the tie, with Terrence Dzvukamanja forcing Aishi Manula into a save in the third minute after lining up a shot from range.

Deon Hotto was next to test the opposition keeper with a well-struck free-kick in the fifth minute, while Ntsikelelo Nyauza was just unable to steer his header inside the left post from the Nambian’s delivery on eight minutes.

Hotto curled another free-kick narrowly wide of the right post just before the half-hour mark as the hosts piled on the pressure in the first half, which ended with Manula denying Olisa Ndah from range in stoppage time after the Nigerian defender found himself in an advanced position.

Bucs were handed a massive boost early in the second half when Kope Mugalu was sent off for a reckless challenge on Ndah, with the referee taking action after VAR had suggested he review the incident.

The Soweto giants capitalised on their numerical advantage almost immediately as Peprah headed home Innocent Maela’s cross on the hour mark.

The visitors offered very little threat as they looked to defend in numbers, although they got a rare sight at goal in the 73rd minute when Shomari Kapombe fired wide of the near post from inside the area on the right.

Pirates were presented with two late chances to win it inside 90 minutes, but Tshegofatso Mabasa flicked Kabelo Dlamini’s cross just wide of the left post five minutes from time before Ndah’s looping header was saved by Manula in the 93rd minute.

The Sea Robbers also had two penalty appeals for handball turned down by VAR in the final four minutes.

With no extra time being played, the contest would be decided on penalties and Bucs converted four of their five spot-kicks to send the Tanzanians packing.

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Peprah 60′)

Simba 0

1-1 on aggregate, Pirates won 4-3 on penalties