Sifiso Hlanti’s wild penalty miss has seen Kaizer Chiefs lose to Orlando Pirates 6-5 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 poor game of football compared to the earlier one of Mamelodi Sundowns, who crushed AmaZulu 3-0 in the morning.
Sundows 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. Sundowns are efficient in that department.
There were also lot of turnovers between the two sides, who were also poor 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 in the second half.
It was a game that struggled to ignite the spark between the two sides, as both goalies weren’t tested, with lot of passes being lost in the build up third.
Chiefs had best chance of the game in the first half. Ben Motshwari was robbed off the ball just before half time by Khama Billiat who 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 shot to Siyabonga Mpontshane.
Chiefs, who in fairness were the better side, dispossessed Pirates in the midfield.
Yusuf Maart had goal sight in front of him but Mpontshane was up to 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 close call for him to be adjudged offside.
Pirates also had their own offside call wrongfully judged when Zakhele Lepasa was clean through.
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 seeking their second trophy in the week against Sundowns.
