Orlando Pirates moved closer to a fifth successive MTN8 title after Gamphani Lungu scored in the final minute of extra time to secure a 2-1 victory over 10-man Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena.
The result came in the first of the competition’s last-eight matches and appeared likely to be decided by a penalty shootout until substitute Lungu produced an extraordinary finish in the 119th minute.
Pirates had struggled to find their rhythm during the opening stages, despite Durban City offering little attacking threat. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side were hesitant in possession and lacked their usual sharpness in the final third.
Their first clear opportunity arrived in the 20th minute, when Thalente Mbatha unleashed a powerful effort from distance that flew narrowly over Fredrick Asare’s crossbar.
Pirates went even closer eight minutes later. Yanela Mbuthuma met a well-delivered cross from Maswanganyi but could only guide his close-range effort a few inches wide of the post.
The home side eventually took the lead from the penalty spot in the 37th minute. City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel, already booked, brought down Tshepang Moremi inside the area after his attempted back-pass fell short of its intended target.
Referee Alfred Chavani showed Poggenpoel a second yellow card and sent him off. Maswanganyi then confidently converted the penalty, sending goalkeeper Asare the wrong way.
The numerical advantage appeared to put Pirates in control, but Durban City responded quickly after half-time. Six minutes into the second half, poor defending allowed Jean Lubumba to restore parity with a simple finish from inside the area.
The move began on City’s left, where former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Gaston Sirino combined with former Orlando Pirates right-back Bandile Shandu. Sirino’s pass found Lubumba, who made no mistake from close range.
With players still building their fitness at this early stage of the season, both managers turned to their benches. City coach Khalil Ben Yousef, formerly a co-coach at Kaizer Chiefs, replaced Sirino with Samkelo Maseko shortly after the equaliser.
Ouaddou made his own changes just after the hour, sending on Kabelo Kgositsile and Boitumelo Radiopane for Oswin Appollis and Mbuthuma.
Kgositsile, one of the young players promoted by Pirates this season, almost restored the hosts’ lead soon after arriving. He headed over from a Camren Dansin cross, while Asare produced another important save to deny Moremi four minutes before the end of normal time.
Neither side could find a winner during the first 90 minutes, and the additional half-hour initially followed the same pattern. Pirates continued to press, but City defended in numbers and frustrated the reigning MTN8 champions.
That resilience finally ended in the 119th minute when Lungu, introduced as a late substitute, found space inside the area and struck an astonishing winning shot.
The victory keeps Pirates on course to defend the trophy they have won in each of the past four years, although the performance also highlighted a team still searching for cohesion, particularly among its newer additions. Lungu is among those expected to make an impact following the departure of key players such as Relebohile Mofokeng, the PSL’s Player of the Season and a central playmaker for Pirates over the previous two campaigns.
Orlando Pirates 2-1 Durban City
Orlando Pirates: Patrick Maswanganyi (penalty 37), Gamphani Lungu (119)
Durban City: Jean Lubumba (51)
Half-time: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Durban City
Extra time: Played
Red card: Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City)
