Sifiso Hlanti’s wild penalty miss has seen Kaizer Chiefs lose 6-5 to Orlando Pirates on penalties in the Carling Black Label Cup semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Vincent Pule’s sixth penalty ensured that Pirates will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the final later at the same venue at 5pm.
It was a relatively poor game of football compared to the earlier one, when Mamelodi Sundowns crushed AmaZulu 3-0 in the morning. Sundowns were too slick and sent a huge warning, and Pirates will have to be at their best to stop them.
The final third in this game left a lot to be desired, despite chances galore. There were also a lot of turnovers between the two sides, who were also below par in the final third in decision making.
With the wet surface at FNB Stadium, Thapelo Xoki’s free-kick in the first half was palmed away from Brandon Petersen, the only option the goalie had to do to avert the danger.
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It was a game that struggled to ignite the spark between the two sides, as both goalies weren’t tested, with a lot of passes being lost in the build up play.
Chiefs had the best chance of the game in the first half, when Ben Motshwari was robbed off the ball just before half-time by Khama Billiat who was released by Kgaogelo Sekgota.
But while he was clean through on goal, Bandile Shandu sprinted through to slide in and block him when Sekgota was about to take a shot at Siyabonga Mpontshane’s goal.
Yusuf Maart had a goal-sight in front of him but Mpontshane was up to the task at the near post to stop the danger.
Chiefs thought they had scored in the 78th minute but Ashley du Preez was flagged offside, but it was a close call for him to be adjudged offside.
Pirates also had their own offside call wrongfully judged when Zakhele Lepasa was clean through a few minutes earlier.
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With nothing fruitful coming either side, it was not surprising to see the game go to penalty shoot outs.
Cole Alexander, Samkelo Zwane, Maart, Mduduzi Shabalala, Dillan Solomons all scored for Chiefs. For Pirates, Deon Hotto, Kabelo Dlamini, Xoki, Collins Makgaka, Lepasa and Pule all converted for Bucs, who will be seeking their second trophy in a week against Sundowns.
