Pirates advance to MTN8 semi-finals!

Royal AM ............ 1

Orl. Pirates ......... 2 OHANNESBURG - Orlando Pirates advanced to the semi-finals of the MTN8 after defeating Royal AM 2-1 at Chatsworth Stadium last night.

Olisa Ndah, Thabiso Monyane, Deon Hotto and Bienvenu Eva Nga came back into the side after Pirates’ midweek win over Marumo Gallants FC at home in the DStv Premiership.

Pirates had their noses in front after just three minutes when Vincent Pule drilled a low ball into the bottom corner as Royal AM failed to keep their lines in shape.

Thwihli Thwahla looked to pull themselves back on level terms minutes thereafter and Motebang Sera shaved the woodwork from a deflected shot in the Buccaneers defensive area.

Pirates missed a big chance to double their lead after the half-hour mark when Zakhele Lepasa fired wide with the goal in sight from a well-worked layoff by Nga.

Royal AM made a late push for the equaliser with shots flying in

Jfrom all angles and positions too, but it wasn’t to be as the Buccaneers closed shop. Thwihli Thwahla installed a double substitution before the resumption, as Mfundo Thikazi came on for Lesvin Stoffels before Jabulani Ncobeni slotted in for Lantshene Phalane.

Pirates increased their lead ten minutes into the second-half after Monyane ran in from the right and slotted through the gloves of Xolani Ngcobo.

Thwihli Thwahla got a lifeline after two minutes when a curling shot from Thikazi on the right bounced off the post and Shaune Mogaila attacked and slotted home on the rebound.

Royal AM began to push forward and camp in the defensive half of the Buccaneers, but still found it difficult to get efforts in and trouble Richard Ofori.

Following a nervy closing, both sides were down to 10 players in Khetukuthula Ndlovu for Royal AM and Goodman Mosele for the Buccaneers due to an off-theball incident, but 2-1 was how the encounter finished as Pirates advanced to the semifinals..