Orlando Pirates defeated giant killers Dondol Stars on penalties to secure their spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro named the same side that started against Chippa United last Saturday in the DStv Premiership, as Dondol welcomed back captain Kholofelo Monama.
The ABC Motsepe League made a confident start through a lot of possession and almost had the lead when a cross from the right rolled in for Tshepo Skhosana to profit, but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was well alert.
Riveiro’s men were frustrated following the water-break as Dondol continued to see a lot of the ball and broke through the opposite half with relative ease.
However, the Buccaneers launched a quick opening at the other end ahead of the half-hour mark and saw Kabelo Dlamini side-foot wide off a ball from the right-side of the area.
Dondol were forced to make a substitution ten minutes before halftime after a slight knock resulted in the removal of Skhosana and saw fellow attacker Tyson Phatlane come on.
Riveiro turned to the bench too ahead of the second half and introduced Kermit Erasmus in the place of Terrence Dzvukamanja.
The alteration from the Spaniard proved telling ten minutes later as Thembinkosi Lorch started a move from deep and combined with Erasmus before thumping in to break the deadlock.
However, Dondol replied and drew level three minutes apart after Tebogo Makungo beat a number of challengers in the box and nodded in off a corner-kick.
As Dondol remained stubborn, the Buccaneers were close to regain the lead as Nkosinathi Sibisi hit the inside post from a diagonal free-kick late on.
Pirates threatened the winner in added time from a curler on the edge of the area by substitute Bandile Shandu, but Sphamandla Gumede produced a remarkable tip and send the match to extra-time.
In the opening minutes of extra-time, the Soweto giants pushed again and were close from a curling free-kick outside the area by Lorch but Gumede tipped over.
Lorch missed another sitter early in the second period of extra-time when he guided a perfectly weighted knockdown from Erasmus over the top with the goal in sight.
Dondol soaked up the pressure and with minutes to full-time nearly had the lead through a first-time shot from Makungo but Chaine palmed and led the clash to a penalty shoot-out.
The Buccaneers showed composure in the shoot-out and emerged victorious with Sandile Mthethwa netting the winning kick after Chaine had saved Dondol's spot-kick.
Confirmed line-ups:
Dondol Stars: Gumede, Mabu Nomala, Sambo, Baloyi, Monama, Mnyembane, Mabena, Katiso, Skhosana, Makungo
Subs: Danquarh, Makhanya, Nemaxwi, Nameka, Phatlane, Ralebakeng, Sepato, Fox, Banyane
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Sibisi, Xoki, Mako, Maela, Timm, Monare, Saleng, Lorch, Dlamini, Dzvukamanja.
Subs: Mpontshane, Mthethwa, Ratomo, Shandu, Ndlondlo, Makaringe, Hotto, Erasmus, Makgopa.
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