Orlando Pirates held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to book their spot in their fourth consecutive MTN8 final, going past Mamelodi Sundowns after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their semifinal tie at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
The enthralling match-up between the two rivals reached the end of regulation time with the two sides still deadlocked at two goals apiece on aggregate. This was after the previous leg played at Orlando Stadium followed a similar script with the Buccaneers fighting back from a goal down to salvage a draw.
With things still in the balance heading into the decider in Atteridgeville, a tentative approach was adopted at both ends for the best part of the first period with clear-cut chances at goal kept to a minimum. The first 15 minutes went by with neither side posing a significant threat to the opposition goal as both defensive units held firm.
The home side was however able to edge ahead just 17 minutes in, capitalising on Pirates’ failure to produce a clearance inside their penalty area. Following some pressure inside the Bucs box, Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners produced the definitive touch when he latched onto the rebound from a shot blocked by defender Lebone Seema before guiding the ball past the diving Sipho Chaine into the net.