By Levy Masiteng
Orlando Pirates have stormed into the MTN8 final after dismantling Sekhukhune United 3-0 at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Saturday, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory and making history in the process.
The Buccaneers produced a ruthless display in front of their home supporters to overturn the pressure of a potentially tricky second leg and book their place in the MTN8 final for a fifth consecutive season.
Pirates had already taken a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 22 August, courtesy of Deon Hotto’s first-half goal. They then returned home and delivered an emphatic performance to leave Sekhukhune with no route back into the tie.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 36th minute.
After a period in which Pirates created several openings, Yanela Mbuthuma burst down the left before laying the ball across to Thapelo Mokobodi, who calmly finished from close range to put the hosts 1-0 ahead on the day.
Just six minutes before half-time, Mbuthuma again played a decisive role. After collecting a pass from Oswin Appollis, he set up Gamphani Lungu, who composed himself before firing past Sekhukhune goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata.
That made it 2-0 on the afternoon and 3-0 on aggregate, leaving Sekhukhune with a mountain to climb.
Sekhukhune came out fighting after the break and briefly put the Pirates defence under pressure, but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine stood firm. The Buccaneers also received a crucial defensive contribution from Sbangani Zulu, who produced an important intervention to deny Bright Ndlovu as the visitors searched desperately for a way back into the contest.
With the tie increasingly slipping away from Sekhukhune, Pirates regained control and finished the job in style.
In one of the final attacks of the match, substitute Tshepang Moremi created the opening for Kamogelo Sebelebele, who fired home from inside the box to make it 3-0 and seal a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate victory.
The victory is significant beyond simply reaching another final.
Pirates have now become the first club to reach the MTN8 final on five consecutive occasions, underlining their extraordinary dominance of the competition in recent seasons.
The Buccaneers have won the MTN8 in each of the previous four seasons and are now one victory away from making it five titles in a row.
Their latest triumph also demonstrates the depth of Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side. Having already beaten Sekhukhune 1-0 in the first leg and 2-0 in a Betway Premiership encounter earlier in the week, Pirates completed a remarkable three-match winning streak against Babina Noko in just eight days.
The Soweto giants will now wait for the outcome of the other semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Lamontville Golden Arrows to discover their opponents in the final.
