Pirates beat Chiefs on penalties to book Carling Cup final date with Sundowns

Orlando Pirates beat arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on penalties to book a spot in the final of the Carling Cup against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers won the lottery of penalties 6-5 at a packed FNB Stadium after the Soweto derby ended goalless in regulation time.

Cole Alexander, Samkelo Zwane, Yusuf Maart, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Dillon Solomons scored in the shootout, while Sifiso Hlanti missed.

Deon Hotto, Kabelo Dlamini, Tapelo Xoki, Collins Makgaka, Zakhele Lepasa netted for Bucs, with Vincent Pule scoring the winning penalty.

The much-anticipated Soweto derby got off to a slow start, with both giants taking a cautious approach in the first few minutes of the game.  

Chiefs had the first real chance of the game inside five minutes, but Eric Mathoho blasted his header over the bar.

Arthur Zwane’s troops dominated possession as they kept Pirates inside their own half while throwing numbers forward, looking to open the scoring.

Pirates were largely confined inside their own half as they tried to push forward.

However, managed to break through as Tapelo Xoki had a shot at goal but was dealt with easily by Petersen in the 20^th minute.

CAUTIOUS APPROACH

Pirates pushed men forward, enjoying a mini period of dominance side Chiefs territory. They had several efforts at goal through Bandile Shandu and Ndabayithethwa Phillip Ndlondlo just before the 30^th minute of the game.

After absorbing the pressure from Pirates, Amakhosi had a clear-cut opportunity to score but Njabulo Ngcobo’s header from a corner went inches wide in the 39^th minute.

On the stroke of halftime, Kgaogelo Sekgota broke free down the middle, but Shandu made an incredible tackle on the edge of the box to stop the winger from taking a shot at goal.

In added time, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo went for goal from well out and nearly beat the Bucs goalie.

The entertaining first half ended with both sides failing to find the back of the net.

Chiefs started the second stanza well as Yusuf Maart forced Mpontsane into making a fine save four minutes into the half.

Both sides struggled to create goal-scoring opportunities in the second half, with the defence resolute.

However, the FNB Stadium came alive in the 77^th minute as Ashely du Preez found the back of the net, but it was adjusted to be offside.

In the 80^th minute, the Pirates goalie kept out a shot from Alexander. A few minutes later, Pirates had a chance to score through Hotto, but Petersen was well-positioned to deal with the effort.

Xoki made a match-winning terrific interception inside the box in added time to cut off what would have been a goal.

In the final, Pirates will play Sundown, who beat AmaZulu 3-0 in the earlier semi-final.

The game is set to start at 17:30