SuperSport United advanced to the MTN8 semi-final after defeating Orlando Pirates 4-3 on penalties at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Pirates and SuperSport came into the game after registering their first wins in the Absa Premiership during the week against Chippa United and AmaZulu respectively.
The Buccaneers dominated proceedings in the opening exchanges and took the lead after 14 minutes when Augustine Mulenga linked up with Justin Shonga before slotting the ball home to make it 1-0.
The visitors nearly equalised in the 27th minute after Teboho Mokoena carved the woodwork with his powerful strike from long range.
SuperSport made no mistake five minutes later when Dean Furman found the net after unleashing a venomous strike from outside the box to level matters, 1-1.
Mulenga had an opportunity to hand his side the lead for the second time, but the striker, who rose above Clayton Daniels, failed to direct his header towards the target.
Daniels came to his sides rescue in the closing stages of the first half when he made a timely block to deny Justin Shonga’s effort after the forward dispossessed Furman on the edge of the area.
The game went into the half time break with the scoreline level at 1-1.
SuperSport came out with more intent in the second half and nearly take the lead through Evans Rusike, but Siyabonga Mpontshane came to Pirates rescue to deny the strikers low effort at goal.
However, Matsatsantsa then took the lead two minutes later when Rusike showed his composure to slot the ball home and give his side the lead for the first time in the match, 2-1.
At the other end, the home side levelled matters in the 59th minute after Xolani Mlambo’s strike deflected in off Gladwin Shitolo, 2-2.
The visitors opted to make a change in the 66th minute when they brought on Fagrie Lakay in place of Thuso Phala and made their final substitution 10 minutes later when they introduced James Keene for Bradley Grobler.
The Buccaneers should have put the game to bed with six minutes left to play, but Vincent Pule blazed his effort over the crossbar from close range after Williams denied Thamsanqa Gabuza.
The game ended locked at 2-2 at the final whistle forcing the match into extra time.
Matsatsantsa threatened on the counter mid-way through the first half of extra time, but were unable to break down the Pirates defence as the match went into the break level at 2-2.
Pirates were then awarded a penalty seven minute before the fulltime whistle. Mulenga stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Williams did well to deny the striker from 12 yards out.
The two sides could not be separated after extra time and as a result and the match went into penalty, which SuperSport went on to win 4-3 to advance into the semi-final of the top eight competition.
