Orlando Pirates struck late in the second half to secure a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over ten-man Stellenbosch FC in the first leg of their MTN8 sem-final.
MTN8 Semi-Final
Result: Stellenbosch 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 03 September 2023
Venue: Athlone Stadium
Pirates made only one change from their win over Cape Town City, as Deon Hotto was recalled at the expense of Relebohile Mofokeng. Monnapule Saleng and Patrick Maswanganyi lined-up on either side of Zakhele Lepasa upfront.
The Buccaneers applied the pressure in the opening exchanges as with 13 minutes on the clock Maswanganyi came close to giving them the lead with a looping shot that hit the side-netting.
Jose Riveiro's charges were playing completely in Stellies' half but not finding gaps in the last third but just before the half-hour mark, but the home side were dealt a blow after they were reduced to ten men when Thabo Moloisane was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Maswanganyi.
Pirates increased their intensity after that and just before the halftime break Saleng almost broke the deadlock with a diagonal header that was parried out of the top corner by goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
After absorbing the pressure, Stellies broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime from a set-piece after Ismael Toure powered home a header that went in off the post from a corner.
The Sea Robbers were spirited coming from the break, holding Barker's men in and around their box and Lepasa finally levelled matters on 65 minutes with a well directed header in the box from a cross by Maswanganyi.
Riveiro made a double attacking change after that as Kermit Erasmus got his first appearance of the season alongside Mofokeng as they both took the places of Paseka Mako and Thabang Monare.
The Cape Winelands side defended better in the closing stages, as they moved a little further away from their box and did not give Pirates time on the ball.
The Soweto giants, however, had the momentum in the dying minutes and Hotto eventually got the winner after he nodded Maswanganyi's cross into the back of the net, as the visitors take a lead to the second leg.
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 45. Toure, 21. Basadien, 7. Van Rooyen, 6. Mthethwa, 24. Moloisane, 23. Adams, 8. Nduli, 22. Sibande, 18. De Jong, 9. Rayners
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 2. Mphahlele, 26. Mcaba, 28. Palace, 10. Mgaga, 20. Sekgota, 29. Van Wyk, 14. Oura, 19. Boji
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 26. Shandu, 19. Mako, 8. Monare, 15. Ndlondlo, 14. Saleng, 11. Hotto, 28. Maswanganyi, 9. Lepasa
Subs: 31. Ofori, 23. Maela, 49. Ndah, 2. Monyane, 4. Timm, 12. Otladisa, 38. Mofokeng, 32. Marou, 95. Erasmus
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