Orlando Pirates secure spot in third consecutive MTN-8 final

MTN-8 defending champions Orlando Pirates have reached their third final of the competition in a row.

Pirates beat Cape Town City 2-nil at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto earlier this afternoon to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

The two sides played to a 1-all draw in Cape Town on Wednesday evening.

The Buccaneers will now face the winner between Stellebosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.

The second leg MNT-8 semi-final encounter between hosts Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City had to produce a winner after the first leg match, played in Cape Town, ended in a stalemate.

But Pirates came into this match with a slight advantage having scored the all-important away goal midweek.

The Citizens created two scoring opportunities in the opening minutes of the match.

This was a match for Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha and keeper Sipho Chaine to justify their inclusion in the Bafana Bafana team for the very first time for the two upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.

Pirates increased their tempo as the game progressed in search of the opening goal.

☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 2 – 0 @CapeTownCityFC (Agg: 3-1)

⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#MatchDay #MTN8WafaWafa#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/FXRIMsSZ50

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 31, 2024

Last season’s Premier Soccer League’s leading goal scorer, Tshegofatso Mabasa, broke the deadlock in the 24th minute and gave the home side the lead.

Despite his exploits at club level, 27-year-old Mabasa has not been part of Bafana Bafana in a long time.

Namibian Deon Hotto extended Pirates’ lead on the stroke of half-time, beating Darren Keet hands down with a brilliant free-kick.

Keet redeemed himself early in the second half by denying Mabasa in a one-on-one situation.

Nineteen-year-old youngster Relebohile Mofokeng fluffed another golden opportunity to increase the lead midway through the second half.

Pirates wasted another opportunity to wrap up the game a few minutes later.

Cape Town City did not do enough to deny Pirates their third final in a row.