By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates could not hold on to a slim lead to draw 1-1 with Cape Town City, while Mamelodi Sundowns succumbed 1-0 at home to Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 semi-finals’ first leg on Wednesday.
Relebohile Mofokeng drew first blood for the Buccaneers 15 minutes into the match before Jaedin Rhodes struck back for City on 61 minutes at the Cape Town Stadium.
The Buccaneers grabbed an important away goal but might be regretting allowing their hosts to come back and make it one apiece.
After controlling proceedings in the first half, Pirates let City dominate them in the second stanza.
The Soweto giants had goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to thank for making crucial saves as he was duly named the Man of the Match.
Chaine impressively saved Rhodes’ shot on 45 minutes before the Buccaneers custodian returned to expertly tip the Pirates scorer’s shot over the bar in the 66th minute.
Pirates will now try to have their away goal come to their advantage when they host City in Saturday’s second leg.
At Lucas Moripe Stadium, Sundowns made life difficult for themselves by losing to visiting Stellenbosch.
Fawaaz Basadien converted a penalty on 62 minutes to hand his side a big advantage ahead of their home leg against the Brazilians.
It was a shambolic outing by Sundowns whose brand of football was an eyesore despite starting key men like Grant Kekana, Peter Shalulile, Teboho Mokeone, Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Khuliso Mudau.
It went south for the Brazilians when Kekana ploughed into Devin Titus inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot.
Basadien then sent goalkeeper Jody February the wrong way and Masandawana tried to come back through substitutes Arthur Sales and Themba Zwane who were denied by Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens towards the end.
Teboho Mokoena then had his trademark long-range shot hit the crossbar right on 90 minutes in what was Sundowns’ last attempt to restore parity.
The evening belonged to goalkeepers and Stephens was Man of the Match just like Chaine, and will try to replicate his form when Stellies host Sundowns in Durban on Sunday.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng wheels away from Cape Town City’s Tshegofatso Nyama.
Source: Orlando Pirates
