Reigning champions Orlando Pirates progressed to yet another MTN8 final after overcoming Mamelodi Sundowns in a penalty shoot-out on Saturday afternoon.
Masandawana welcomed back the likes of Marcelo Allende, Teboho Mokoena, Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners after the midweek action, while Patrick Maswanganyi got a recall by the Buccaneers.
The Tshwane giants got their noses in front in the 17th minute after Rayners capitalised on a loose clearance by Lebone Seema and fired into the bottom-corner.
Mokoena looked to double Sundowns' lead five minutes later through a free-kick outside the six-yard area, but he fired inches over the top.
Pirates went to the bench under five minutes before halftime and sacrificed Maswanganyi for speedy full-back Bandile Shandu.
There was a chance for the Buccaneers minutes later when Kamogelo Sebelebele beat Divine Lunga on the right and delivered a cross, but Evidence Makgopa was unable to make contact.
Rayners, who broke the deadlock, nearly had a second goal two minutes after halftime through a snap shot from a tight angle but he fired off the post, while Pirates upped the ante five minutes later as a fierce shot from 30-metres by Thalente Mbatha forced Ronwen Williams into a fine save.
The Buccaneers, however, were level inside the final 20 minutes when a cross in the box by Oswin Appollis caused a mix-up at the back and allowed Sebelebele to bundle in, making it three goals in his last three matches for the club.
Masandawana looked to regain the lead and came close to a header by Mokoena following a cross, but he didn’t pose Sipho Chaine any trouble.
With no winner in regulation time despite the attacking substitutions from the two teams, the match was denied on penalties, where Pirates emerged victories after four successful conversions, with Tshegofatso Mabasa netting the winning effort while Chaine was able to make two saves.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Cupido, Mdunyelwa, Mokoena, Allende, Lunga, Matthews, Adams, Sales, Rayners
Subs: Onyango, Lebusa, Morena, Modiba, Aubaas, Mabena, Maseko, Mothiba, Shalulile
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Hotto, Sebelebele, Nduli, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Appollis, Makgopa.
Subs: Buthelezi, Xoki, Ndaba, Shandu, Mariko, Mbule, Kwayiba, Moremi, Mabasa