Sundowns and Pirates advance in MTN8

Zakhele Lepasa of Orlando Pirates celebrates goal with teammates during the 2023 MTN8 QuarterFinal match between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 12 August 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Aug 12, 2023. 20:01

Saturday’s MTN8 action saw Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates book their berths in the semifinals after triumphs over Moroka Swallows and Sekhukhune United respectively.

Sundowns got the ball rolling with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Swallows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in the afternoon match.

The Birds were up against it from early on after a straight red card in just the seventh minute for Andile Jali, but ultimately they did well to frustrate the Brazilians and restrict them to just one goal – a well-taken strike by Themba Zwane early in the second half which proved decisive.

Goals were not a problem for defending champions Pirates in the second game at Orlando Stadium, as they crushed Sekhukhune 5-0 to advance in style.

Zakhele Lepasa netted a hat-trick (and also missed a penalty kick) to add to goals from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Monnapule Saleng, as the Buccaneers continued their fine scoring form, having put four past Royal AM in a league game in midweek.

The MTN8 quarterfinals will wrap up on Sunday 13 August with Cape Town City v Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United v Stellenbosch FC.

MTN8 results, Saturday 12 August

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Moroka Swallows

Orlando Pirates 5-0 Sekhukhune United