Orlando Pirates will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final despite suffering their third straight defeat in all competitions on Sunday afternoon.
MTN8
Result: Orlando Pirates 0(2)- (2) 1 Stellenbosch
Date: 24 September 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
The Buccaneers recalled Deon Hotto, Thabiso Monyane and Sandile Mthethwa while Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo returned from suspension in four changes from the loss against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Stellies, who lost the first-leg 2-1, showed urgency going forward in the early exchanges and Iqraam Rayners had a good chance on 14 minutes after he went through on goal from a long ball over the top but his toe-poked shot was saved by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine in a one-on-one.
Steve Barker's troops eventually broke the deadlock midway through the first stanza and made it 2-2 on aggregate after Rayners' shot through a crowded area in the box took a deflection off Zakhele Lepasa and trickled towards the bottom corner.
Jose Riveiro's men raised their game and almost levelled matters shortly after the half-hour mark after Tapelo Xoki had an open goal to aim at with a header from a cross that missed wide after goalkeeper Sage Stephens came out and could not collect.
The visitors were more threatening with balls over the high line of Pirates as Devin Titus had a chance just before the break with a volley that was smothered by Chaine.
After a relatively quiet first stanza for the Buccaneers' upfront, Jose Riveiro looked for better energy from the break as he withdrew Monnapule Saleng and brought on Lesedi Kapinga.
However, the game got tactical in the early stages of the second stanza and with the match on the edge, Barker made an attacking change in the last 20 minutes as he eventually brought on Kgaogelo Sekgota in place of Qobolwakhe Sibande.
Stellies started to threaten more going forward but Pirates were sensing danger and also increased their intensity going forward and came close ten minutes before time after Lepasa's deflected shot was parried over the crossbar by Stephens.
Late substitute Evidence Makgopa also came close to sealing the game for the Buccaneers in the last minute with a volley that was swallowed by Chaine.
The visitors had the momentum in stoppage time but the Buccaneers managed to hold on and booked a spot in the final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 39. Mthethwa, 2. Monyane, 29. Mako, 30. Baloni, 15. Ndlondlo, 14. Saleng, 7. Hotto, 28. Maswanganyi, 9. Lepasa
Subs: 31. Ofori, 95. Erasmus, 38. Mofokeng, 4. Sesane, 26. Shandu, 25. Kimvuidi, 26. Kapinga, 17. Makgopa, 4. Timm
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 24. Moloisane, 22. Sibande, 27. Jurgens, 26. Mcaba, 28. Palace, 23. Adams, 8. Nduli, 29. Van Wyk, 9. Rayners, 34. Titus
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 2. Mphahlele, 33. De Kock, 18. De Jong, 10. Mgaga, 20. Sekgota, 12. Mini, 14. Oura, 19. Boji
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