Gamphani Lungu struck in the final minute of extra time to send Orlando Pirates into the MTN8 semi-finals, as the holders survived a determined Durban City 2-1 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The result keeps Pirates’ bid to retain the trophy on course after they won the competition in each of the past four years. Lungu, introduced as a late substitute, produced an astonishing finish inside the area when the quarter-final appeared destined for a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Pirates made an uncertain start despite facing a Durban City side that offered little attacking threat in the opening exchanges. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team struggled to build momentum and were tentative in possession before gradually taking control.
Thalente Mbatha provided the first serious warning in the 20th minute when he unleashed a powerful effort from distance. The shot flew just over the crossbar after a touch from Durban City goalkeeper Fredrick Asare.
The home side came even closer eight minutes later. Patrick Maswanganyi delivered a quality cross towards Yanela Mbuthuma, but the striker’s close-range attempt narrowly missed the post by a matter of centimetres.
Maswanganyi would eventually make the breakthrough himself from the penalty spot after Durban City were reduced to 10 men. Brooklyn Poggenpoel, already booked, brought down Tshepang Moremi inside the area after realising his attempted back pass was too weak to reach Asare. Referee Alfred Chavani showed Poggenpoel a second yellow card before Maswanganyi sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Pirates ahead in the 37th minute.
The numerical advantage did not give Pirates the control they expected after the interval. Six minutes into the second half, poor defending allowed Durban City to equalise through Jean Lubumba.
The visitors worked their way into the area down Pirates’ left side, with former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Gaston Sirino combining with former Orlando Pirates right-back Bandile Shandu. Sirino then supplied Lubumba, who finished from close range to restore parity.
With players still building match fitness at the start of the season, both managers turned to their benches. Former Kaizer Chiefs co-head coach Khalil Ben Youssef, now in charge of Durban City, replaced Sirino with Samkelo Maseko shortly after the equaliser.
Ouaddou responded by sending on Kabelo Kgositsile and Boitumelo Radiopane for Oswin Appollis and Mbuthuma just after the hour mark.
Kgositsile, one of the young players promoted by Pirates this season, almost restored the hosts’ lead within minutes of coming on. He headed a Camren Dansin cross narrowly wide, while Asare then denied Moremi four minutes before the match moved into extra time.
The additional 30 minutes seemed likely to pass without a decisive goal, despite Pirates repeatedly forcing Durban City to defend deep and in numbers. But with the shoot-out approaching, Lungu found the breakthrough with virtually the final attack.
Pirates are still adapting to a changing squad, particularly in attack and midfield. New arrival Lungu is among those expected to help fill the gap left by players who have departed, including Relebohile Mofokeng, the PSL Player of the Season and a central playmaker for Orlando Pirates during the previous two campaigns.
