By Michael Madyira
Deon Hotto struck a spectacular free kick to contribute to Orlando Pirates’ 2-0 victory over Cape Town City in the MTN8 semi-final second-leg clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Hotto’s strike on the stroke of half-time added to a Tshegofatso Mabasa 25th-minute opener as the Buccaneers sealed a 3-1 aggregate win.
The Soweto giants are now within a chance of claiming a third-straight MTN8 title and completing an overall 13th crown.
They now wait to know their opponents in the final when Mamelodi Sundowns face Stellenbosch in the other semi-final on Sunday.
There is a possibility of last season’s rematch between the Buccaneers and Masandawana in the final.
From the team that started in the first leg, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro dropped Kabelo Dlamini for Makhehlene Makhaula as the only change.
His City counterpart Eric Tinkler maintained the line-up from the Cape Town leg but it did not work to their advantage.
The Buccaneers took control of the game when Mabasa headed in a cross from Relebohile Mofokeng to deflate their visitors who had afforded Pirates an away goal on Wednesday.
Life became more difficult for the Citizens when Hotto’s well-struck freekick gave goalkeeper Darren Keet no chance two minutes before the break.
Mabasa then almost killed the contest off six minutes into the second half when he came face-to-face with Keet but the City custodian blocked his effort.
The miss of the game was then witnessed on 64 minutes after Mofokeng beat Keet but bizarrely side-netted off an empty goal.
Tinkler’s side were struggling for clear-cut chances but right at the death, new signing and substitute Amadou Soukouna struck the crossbar.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates winger Deon Hotto trying to get past Cape Town City midfielder Jaedin Rhodes
Image source: Orlando Pirates
