Orlando Pirates reach MTN8 semi-finals after Lungu’s extra-time winner

Gamphani Lungu scored in the final minute of extra-time to send Orlando Pirates into the MTN8 semi-finals, as the holders beat Durban City 2-1 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Pirates, who have won the competition in each of the past four years, looked set to face a penalty shootout after the quarter-final ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. But Lungu, introduced as a late substitute, produced a remarkable finish from inside the area to settle the first of the competition’s last-eight ties.

The result keeps Orlando Pirates on course to defend their trophy, although they were made to work hard by a spirited Durban City side.

Pirates made a hesitant start and struggled to build momentum in attack. Their first significant opportunity came in the 20th minute, when Thalente Mbatha unleashed a powerful effort from distance that flew just over the crossbar after taking a touch from City goalkeeper Fredrick Asare.

Eight minutes later, the home side came close again. Patrick Maswanganyi delivered a dangerous cross for fellow forward Yanela Mbuthuma, but Mbuthuma’s close-range attempt narrowly missed the post.

Orlando Pirates were handed a major advantage in the 37th minute when Durban City were reduced to 10 men. Brooklyn Poggenpoel, already booked, brought down Tshepang Moremi inside the penalty area after his attempted back-pass had fallen short of its intended target.

Referee Alfred Chavani showed Poggenpoel a second yellow card and awarded a penalty. Maswanganyi took responsibility and sent Asare the wrong way to give the home side a deserved lead.

The numerical advantage did not result in the one-sided contest Pirates might have expected. Six minutes after the restart, City equalised following poor defending from the hosts.

Durban City worked their way into the area down Orlando Pirates’ left side, where former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Gaston Sirino combined with former Orlando Pirates right-back Bandile Shandu. Sirino then supplied Jean Lubumba, who finished from inside the penalty area to make it 1-1.

With players still working towards full match fitness at this early stage of the season, both managers made changes. Durban City head coach Khalil Ben Youseff, formerly co-head coach at Kaizer Chiefs, replaced Sirino with Samkelo Maseko shortly after the equaliser.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou responded after the hour mark by sending on Kabelo Kgositsile and Boitumelo Radiopan for Oswin Appollis and Mbuthuma.

Kgositsile, one of the young players promoted to the Pirates first team this season, almost restored the hosts’ lead soon after coming on. His header from a Camren Dansin cross went narrowly wide.

Asare then kept Durban City level by saving Moremi’s effort four minutes before the match entered extra-time.

The additional 30 minutes appeared to be heading towards a goalless conclusion, despite sustained pressure from Pirates and a series of attacks directed at the City goal.

Durban City defended in numbers against a Pirates team still adjusting to the new season and to the arrival of players such as Lungu. The new recruit has the difficult task of helping fill the gap left by departing stars, including Relebohile Mofokeng, the PSL Player of the Season and a key playmaker for Orlando Pirates during the previous two campaigns.

With penalties seemingly imminent, Lungu found space inside the area in the final minute of extra-time and struck the decisive shot to complete a dramatic victory for the holders.