Lungu’s extra-time winner sends Orlando Pirates into MTN8 semi-finals

Gamphani Lungu struck in the final minute of extra time to send Orlando Pirates into the MTN8 semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Durban City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The Buccaneers appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot-out after the quarter-final had finished 1-1 following 90 minutes. But Lungu, introduced as a late substitute, produced a decisive finish inside the area to keep Orlando Pirates’ bid to retain the trophy on course.

The result extends Pirates’ run of four consecutive MTN8 titles, with the reigning champions now through from the first of this season’s quarter-final matches.

Durban City offered little attacking threat in the opening stages, but Pirates struggled to impose themselves and were cautious in possession. Their performance improved as the first half progressed, however, and Thalente Mbatha came close to opening the scoring in the 20th minute.

The midfielder’s powerful effort from distance flew just over the crossbar, with Durban City goalkeeper Fredrick Aasare getting a touch to the ball.

Pirates went even closer eight minutes later. Patrick Maswanganyi delivered a dangerous cross for striker Yanela Mbuthuma, whose close-range effort narrowly missed the post by a few centimetres.

The home side were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute after Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel, already booked, brought down Tshepang Moremi inside the area. Poggenpoel was sent off after the referee judged that he had fouled Moremi while attempting to recover from an under-hit back pass.

Maswanganyi took responsibility from the spot and sent Aasare the wrong way to give Pirates a deserved lead.

The numerical advantage did not bring the control Pirates expected after the interval. Instead, Durban City equalised only six minutes into the second half, punishing poor defending from the hosts.

Pirates allowed their opponents to enter the penalty area down the left. Gaston Sirino, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, combined with former Orlando Pirates right-back Bandile Shandu before supplying Jean Lubumba, who tapped in from close range.

Durban City coach Khalil Ben Youseff, formerly a co-head coach at Kaizer Chiefs, replaced Sirino with Samkelo Maseko shortly after the equaliser.

Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou responded after the hour 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 afterwards. His header from a Camren Dansin cross went narrowly wide, while Aasare denied Moremi four minutes before the contest entered extra time.

The additional 30 minutes appeared to be heading towards a goalless conclusion as Durban City defended in numbers and Pirates continued to search for a breakthrough.

The hosts had created a succession of attacks, but their team is still adapting at the beginning of the season, particularly with new arrivals such as Lungu. He is among those expected to help fill the void left by players including Relebohile Mofokeng, the Premier Soccer League Player of the Season and a key Pirates playmaker over the previous two campaigns.

With penalties seemingly imminent, Lungu finally settled the tie with an astonishing shot from inside the area in the last minute of extra time. His late intervention secured Pirates’ place in the last four and ended Durban City’s spirited resistance despite their one-man disadvantage.