Orlando Pirates advanced to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Simba 4-3 on penalties at Orlando Stadium.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Simba SC (1-1 on aggregate)
Date: 24 April 2022
Venue: Orlando Stadium
The Pirates starting line-up saw five changes as Olisa Ndah, Abel Mabaso, Fortune Makaringe, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Thembinkosi Lorch replaced Happy Jele, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Kabelo Dlamini, Goodman Mosele and Thabang Monare.
Pirates were immediately on the attack and won a free-kick on the edge of the box after Serge Wawa brought down Kwame Peprah. Deon Hotto stepped up and connected well with his strike, which was well saved by Simba goalkeeper Aishi Manula in the bottom right corner.
The Buccaneers won another free-kick two minutes later - this time on the right-hand side of the box. It was curled in by the left foot of Hotto And Ntsikelelo Nyauza could only head wide from inside the six-yard box as a big chance went begging.
Peprah was holding up and linking the play well. Bandile Shandu played the one-two with the Nigerian striker, who released the right-back in behind but Shandu blasted wide.
Soon after, Hotto's corner was headed narrowly wide by Dzvukamanja before Hotto's free-kick went just inches wide as the hosts continued to look a threat from set-pieces going into the interval.
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The two sides began to get stuck into each other in the second half. Linda Mntambo had come on for Mabaso at half-time and in the 53rd minute he surged forward but fired well wide from range.
Play was halted in the 58th minute after a heavy challenge on Ndah and after VAR consultation Chris Mugalu was shown a straight red card as the visitors went down to ten men.
The Buccaneers immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage when Peprah headed home from Innocent Maela's cross.
Pirates continued to apply all of the pressure and next Mntambo had his point-blank range shot deflected out for a corner and then Tshegofatso Mabasa pulled his shot wide from fellow substitute Kabelo Dlamini's cross.
In the third minute of stoppage time Mntambo hit the post with a header from Lorch's cross after which the referee signalled the end of regular time with the match going to penalties.
Buccaneers goalkeeper Richard Ofori would be the unlikely hero in the end as he netted the winning penalty to see the Soweto giants through to the last four.
Here's how they lined up:
Pirates: Ofori, Shandu, Maela, Ndah, Nyauza, Mabasa, Makaringe, Hotto, Lorch, Dzukamanja, Peprah
Subs: Jele, Motshwari, Mhango, Ndlovu, T. Mabasa, Dlamini, Mosele
