MTN8 semi-finals: Orlando Pirates draw Sekhukhune as Sundowns face Golden Arrows

Orlando Pirates will play Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-finals, while Mamelodi Sundowns have been paired with Lamontville Golden Arrows in the last four.

The semi-final line-up was completed on Sunday when Golden Arrows secured a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. The result followed a dramatic day of quarter-final action and kept Orlando Pirates’ defence of the MTN8 title on course.

Pirates’ meeting with Sekhukhune United will bring together the defending Betway Premiership champions and a team that produced one of the weekend’s most entertaining results.

Sekhukhune reached the semi-finals earlier on Sunday after beating AmaZulu 4-3 in a seven-goal contest. Their reward is a tie against Pirates, who were made to work hard for their own place in the last four.

The Buccaneers eventually overcame newly promoted Durban City on Saturday, but only after extra time. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side were pushed throughout the match and had to rely on their squad depth and resilience to avoid a surprise exit.

Pirates will now continue their pursuit of the first major trophy of the new season. They face a Sekhukhune side that has already shown its ability to threaten opponents in attack, setting up a potentially open semi-final.

The other last-four tie will see Mamelodi Sundowns take on Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Sundowns also required extra time to progress from the quarter-finals. Miguel Cardoso’s team were stretched by Polokwane City on Saturday before eventually surviving the challenge and maintaining their hopes of adding the MTN8 to their collection of domestic and continental honours.

Golden Arrows, meanwhile, caused the biggest upset of the weekend by eliminating Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.

Khulekani Shezi scored the only goal of the match in the second half, ending Fernando Da Cruz’s hopes of guiding Chiefs into the MTN8 semi-finals in his first season as manager.

The victory also represented an important early success for new Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla, who was appointed at the start of the season and is continuing to shape the team.

The quarter-finals highlighted the competitiveness of this year’s tournament, with three of the four semi-finalists needing extra time to secure their places.

Pirates and Sundowns entered the MTN8 among the leading favourites, yet both were forced to dig deep to prevent early elimination. Their progress means the semi-finals will feature two established leading clubs against opponents who have already demonstrated that they can trouble South Africa’s bigger teams.

The clashes will therefore bring together experience and ambition, with Sekhukhune United and Lamontville Golden Arrows seeking to continue their impressive runs against highly fancied opposition.

The PSL will confirm the dates, venues and kick-off times for the semi-final fixtures.