Orlando Pirates kept their Carling Knockout title defence alive by edging past Sekhukhune United through a hard-fought 1-0 victory in their quarterfinal clash held at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
The workmanlike performance helped the Buccaneers secure a semifinal berth, extending their streak in the competition to six straight wins. They eliminated Sekhukhune out of a knockout competition for the second time this season, making it four wins in as many encounters across competitions.
The opening half-hour of their latest battle proved to be a largely scrappy affair, with neither side managing to establish a sustained foothold in the contest. Pirates showed occasional flashes of attacking intent, coming close to breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute when Gamphani Lungu stretched to meet Deon Hotto’s delivery inside the box, only to direct his header into the side-netting.
They threatened again in the 19th minute through Mpho Padime, who tried his luck from distance but sent his effort narrowly over the crossbar. Sekhukhune United meanwhile also had a few opportunities of their own, with Chibuike Ohizu among those looking to make an impact in the final third, although none of his two attempts caused any serious concern for the home side’s defence.
The deadlock lasted only a further minute after the first half-hour as Padime provided the breakthrough from close range when the Babina Noko defence failed to deal with a ball delivered by Tshepang Moremi into the box.
After falling behind, Sekhukhune could only muster a single effort in their attempt at drawing level through a wayward shot from Tshepo Mokoena, while Pirates could have quickly doubled their lead before the break when Simphiwe Masilela forced a save off an outstretched Manuel Sapunga with a powerful shot from range.
Pirates would find themselves doing most of the defending during the opening exchanges of the second half as Sekhukhune stepped up their efforts to find an equaliser.
Babina Noko looked to make the most of set-piece opportunities, with Mpho Rammala coming closest to troubling the hosts with an attempt from a direct free kick taken in front of the Buccaneers goal. However, the winger could only direct his effort well off target.
The hosts gradually found their attacking rhythm following a couple of substitutions around the hour mark, with the fresh legs injecting renewed impetus into their forward play. Striker Sifiso Luthuli was among those to test Sekhukhune goalkeeper Sapunga, while Oswin Appollis also forced the shot-stopper into action as the home side looked to extend their advantage.
That proved to be a brief attacking spell for the Buccaneers as Babina Noko pressed for a late equaliser. Thabo Nkwana came closest to finding a way through when he forced an excellent save from Sipho Chaine, who was immediately called into action once to comfortably deal with Bright Ndlovu’s effort from the rebound.
With time running out, Pirates had to manage the closing stages and were made to work hard to protect their slender advantage.
The winding clock along with the home side’s resolute defending worked against the visitors as they were unable to find a breakthrough with the final whistle eventually confirming the Buccaneers’ place in the Carling Knockout semifinals.
