MTN8: Orlando Pirates face Sekhukhune United in semi-final as title defence continues

Orlando Pirates will face Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-finals as they continue their bid to become the first club to win the competition five times in a row.

Pirates secured their place in the last four with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over MTN8 debutants Durban City in Soweto last Saturday. The quarter-final went deep into extra time before the holders finally claimed the result they needed.

Their reward is a semi-final meeting with Sekhukhune United, who also required extra time to settle their quarter-final against AmaZulu. In a dramatic contest, Sekhukhune United prevailed 4-3 against the KwaZulu-Natal side.

The result leaves Orlando Pirates two matches away from a fifth successive MTN8 title. Their route to the final now runs through a Sekhukhune United team that showed its ability to withstand a high-scoring and closely contested knockout match against AmaZulu.

The other semi-final will bring together Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.

Golden Arrows reached the last four by eliminating Kaizer Chiefs with a 1-0 win at FNB Stadium. That victory ended Kaizer Chiefs’ involvement in the competition and secured Golden Arrows a place in the semi-final draw.

Mamelodi Sundowns, the African champions, were also made to work for their quarter-final success. They eventually overcame a determined Polokwane City side 3-2 after extra time.

The semi-final line-up therefore features both of the teams who needed extra time to win their quarter-finals on opposite sides of the draw. Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns each came through extended knockout matches, while Sekhukhune United and Golden Arrows completed the final four.

The fixtures are:

– Sekhukhune United v Orlando Pirates – Mamelodi Sundowns v Golden Arrows

The semi-finals will decide which two teams remain in contention for the MTN8 trophy. Orlando Pirates’ immediate focus will be on extending their record pursuit against Sekhukhune United, while Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows will meet with a place in the final at stake.

The quarter-final results have produced a last-four stage featuring the reigning champions, the African champions, MTN8 debutants’ conquerors and the side that knocked Kaizer Chiefs out at FNB Stadium. With both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns needing extra time to progress, the draw has set up two semi-finals involving teams who have already faced demanding quarter-final tests.

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