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Five-star Bucs thrash Sekhukhune for MTN8 semi spot

Reigning MTN8 champions Orlando Pirates thumped Sekhukhune United 5-0 to secure their spot in the semi-finals, with Zakhele Lepasa bagging a hat-trick on Saturday night.

There were no changes from the Buccaneers' midweek victory over Royal AM, but the visitors introduced Zaphaniah Mbokoma following their win over Cape Town Spurs.

After a stellar midweek display, forward Zakhele Lepasa continued where he left off when he attacked Patrick Maswanganyi's low ball at the midway point and tapped in off Badra Ali Sangare.

Sekhukhune went for a quick response through overloads in wide spaces by Jamie Webber Nyiko Mobbie and Mbokoma though weren't able to penetrate the Sea Robbers.

The Buccaneers were inches away from a second when a snap shot from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo hit the post before Lepasa nodded a follow-up ball from Relebohile Mofokeng on the woodwork as well.

Pirates came close again in the final minute of the half with a shot from range by Ndlondlo, but Sangare palmed away for a corner-kick while Lepasa also hit the woodwork twice in quick succession.

Sekhukhune did get a chance to get back in five minutes later through a spot-kick after a foul on Chibuike Ohizu by Paseka Mako, but the Nigerian striker hit the resultant penalty off the post.

It turned to be costly as the Buccaneers doubled their lead when Lepasa picked out space two minutes later and re-directed a loose ball in an unguarded net.

Pirates bagged a third goal moments later after Monnapule Saleng dropped wide and delivered a cutback for Ndlondlo to slot in off Edwin Gyimah.

Saleng wasn't to be left out midway through the second half and charged in the heart of the area to send a teasing delivery in the roof of the net.

Lepasa should've had a hat-trick with a spot-kick from a foul on Deon Hotto in the box, but he fired over with ten minutes to play.

However, Lepasa made up for the miss four minutes before time when got on the end of Hotto's low delivery and tapped past a diving Sangare and saw the Buccaneers in the last four.

Confirmed line-ups:

Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Mako, Monyane, Monare, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Lepasa

Subs: Ofori, Mthethwa, Eva Nga, Shandu, Maela, Makhaula, Otladisa, Makaringe, Hotto

Sekhukhune:  Sangare, Gyimah, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Mobbie, Mokotjo, Mokwana, Bwalya, Webber, Ohizu, Mbokoma

Subs: Mabotja, Mkhabela, Tshibwabwa, Mahlangu, Vilakazi, Thutlwa, Mosadi, Leaner, Masiya

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