It ended 2-1 in Orlando Pirates favour against a ten-man Stellenbosch in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final clash at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The two teams had previously met in the opening game of the DStv Premiership season, with Stellies then pulling off a 1-0 victory at the Danie Craven Stadium.
It was the home team with the first shot in anger, but Iqraam Rayners went wide with his attempt from the right of goal in the fifth minute
Patrick Maswanganyi’s attempt in the 14th minute was off-target, while at the other end, Thabo Moloisane had a header go wide two minutes later.
A minute later Qobolwakhe Sibande went on to run in the Pirates’ box, but his final effort lacked power and was comfortably saved by Sipho Chaine.
Just before the half-hour mark Thapelo Xoki made his way into the box, but couldn’t keep his header on target.
Stellies were dealt a major blow when they were reduced to ten men for the second game in four days, with Moloisane shown a straight red card in the 32nd minute.
Sage Stephens was called into action in the 36th minute, saving from a header from Nkosinathi Sibisi, and again a few minutes later as Zakhele Lepasa, then Deon Hotto, tried to test him from range.
Monnapule Saleng’s attempt in the 42nd minute was probably the closest Pirates went to going ahead, but Stephens made a good diving save to keep out the header.
With the man advantage, Pirates finished the first half strongly, wrestling away the possession, Lepasa did have the ball in the back of the net in stoppage time, but from an off side position.
But just before the halftime whistle, Stellies took the lead against the run of play when Olivier Toure headed them in front.
Down to ten men, Steve Barker made three early second-half changes as Pirates came out looking to get back into the game and tried to test Stephens early from range.
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It was one-way traffic with Stellies absorbing a lot of pressure as the visitors looked for ways to unlock their defence.
And the pressure finally paid off as the equaliser came just past the hour mark, as Lepasa headed in to make it 1-1.
It was Pirates who were now in the ascendancy, and in the 70th minute, a goal-mouth flurry almost led to another.
But Stellies held on tight and just when it looked like they would hold out for a draw, Deon Hotto headed the winner in stoppage time to seal the 2-1 win.
The second leg is set to be played in three weeks, on the 24th of September.
