Pirates book MTN8 final spot after CT City win

Deon Hotto of Orlando Pirates celebrates goal with Tshegofatso Mabasa of Orlando Pirates during the 2024 MTN8 semifinal 2nd leg match between Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on 31 August 2024 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Aug 31, 2024. 17:20

Orlando Pirates emerged as 2-0 winners over Cape Town City in an MTN8 semi-final second-leg match played at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As a result, the Buccaneers reached the final where they will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Stellenbosch FC after winning their tie against City 3-1 on aggregate. The Citizens, on the other hand, crashed out of the tournament having drawn 1-1 at home in the first-leg match on Wednesday.

Having scored in back-to-back matches, Relebohile Mofokeng looked lively in the opening stages and he was involved when the deadlock was broken in the 25th minute. Mofokeng’s top-notch cross was headed home by Tshegofatso Mabasa to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead.

The Buccaneers pushed for another goal towards the interval and they got it through Deon Hotto who scored with a delightful free-kick in the 43rd minute to make it 2-0 Pirates who were leading 3-1 on aggregate during the half-time break.

Pirates continued to pile pressure on City’s defence after the restart with Mabasa forcing goalkeeper Darren Keet into a save in the 50th minute. Mofokeng then eliminated Keet before hitting the side-netting five minutes after the hour-mark.

The Citizens created a few chances in the latter stages of the match, but Sipho Chaine was determined to keep a clean sheet on the day as the new Bafana Bafana international denied Heaven Sereetsi in the 80th minute and ultimately, Pirates won 2-0 on the day.

Pirates (2) 2 (Mabasa 25′, Hotto 43′)

City (0) 0

Pirates: Chaine, Sesane, Ndah, Monyane (Maela 62′), Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Timm 73′) Maswanganyi, Saleng (Dlamini 88′), Mofokeng (Gilberto 73′), Mabasa (Makgopa 88′).

City: Keet, Mkhize, Petrus, Domingo (Sokouna 46′), Nyama, Mokotjo (Gordinho 46′), Cupido, Gonzalez, Tjiueza (Goedeman 68′), Rhodes (Sereetsi 76′), Makaringe (Ahshene 69′).