Pirates End Five Match Losing Run Over Chiefs To Book NBC Final Spot

Orlando Pirates ended their five-match losing run to Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby with a 2-1 extra-time win in the Nedbank Cup semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After five straight defeats to Chiefs, Pirates came into the game with real intent starting with Kermit Erasmus, Monnapule Saleng and Terrence Dzvukamanja up front.

It was a frenetic pace first 10 minutes of the clash and Christian Saile was guilty of missing an absolute sitter after a brilliant cross by Ashley du Preez which was duly punished.

Two minutes after failing to break the deadline, Saleng found space inside the area to set up Erasmus for the opener with a tap in past Brandon Petersen.

Chiefs went in on the attack immediately after and nearly drew level with Yusuf Maart’s long-range effort but it flew inches wide of Sipho Chaine’s post.

It was looking as if the story of the Amakhosi season would continue with missed chances as Siyabonga Ngezana was also guilty of spurning a chance, with du Preez once again setting up an inviting cross into the area just after the half-hour mark.

The relentless pace of the game never slowed down with neither side really taking control of the game as it was transition after transition and once again Saile was set up with a cross inside the area and after his headered effort went wide, supporters called for him to be replaced.

But the game went into the break with the Buccaneers in the lead which undoubtedly caused Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane to have some heated exchanges in the dressing room about their lack of cutting edge.

Chiefs had the bulk of the possession for the opening twenty minutes of the second half but nothing much to show for it as the chance creation and box entries from both sides slowed down severely.

However, the tireless Dillan Solomons managed to spark the game back to life when it seemed as if Pirates were going to secure a 1-0 win as a surging run led to him playing Yusuf Maart in through on goal to slot the ball calmly past Sipho Chaine ten minutes from time to take the thrilling clash into extra-time.

Amakhosi looked to be the better of the two sides with Pirates losing all their momentum and heading towards penalties, but substitute Sandile Mthethwa flipped the script with an incredible 114th minute header from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo’s corner.

It sparked wild scenes at the Calabash as Pirates went on to hold until full-time to book their place in the final of the domestic cup competition.