Orlando Pirates progressed to their third successive Nedbank Cup final after a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants FC on Sunday afternoon.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made four changes from the goalless draw with MC Alger in midweek, with goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi, Paseka Mako, Kabelo Dlamini and Patrick Maswanganyi restored to the side.
The reigning champions provided a strong start and took the lead when Maswanganyi came short to the right and cutback for Dlamini to side-foot into the bottom-corner for his first goal of the tournament.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa looked to draw level immediately, but the Buccaneers, led by goalkeeper Buthelezi, cleared their lines and maintained the lead.
The Buccaneers nearly got a second goal on the stroke of halftime with a free-kick into the area by Deon Hotto, but the visitors managed to stop the danger.
At the other end, Marumo threatened the equaliser through a snap shot from the area by Edgar Manaka but Buthelezi was equal to the task just before the break.
The introductions energised the visitors, who began to push forward and camped around the defensive-third of the Buccaneers.
Pirates looked to balance up the play and also made a double substitution by throwing on Relebohile Mofokeng for Nkota while Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo replaced Dlamini.
Riveiro’s boys could’ve gone further in front later on with a first-time finish by Tshegofatso Mabasa following a cross by Hotto, but it was cleared off the goal-line.
Mofokeng missed a golden chance five minutes from time when he charged in the box to get onto a cross from the right, but goalkeeper Washington Arubi thwarted.
It didn’t matter though as the reigning champions ran down the final minutes to register the win and advanced to yet another Nedbank Cup final.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Mbokazi, Mako, Dlamini, Makhaula, Nkota, Maswanganyi, Hotto, Makgopa
Subs: Chaine, Radiopane, Mofokeng, Shandu, Mosele, Mabasa, Madiba, Xoki, Ndlondlo
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Ncube, Mathiane, Sibiya, Mabotja, Nhlapo, Manaka, Msendami, Nemtajela, Mahlatsi, Khumalo.
Subs: Akepyi, Conde, Chabatsane, Mhango, Sithole, Ndlovu, Dion, Mokobodi, Nange.
