Pro Philani looks back at the past weekend’s local football action as Pirates beat AM again, Chiefs edge Stellies on penalties and more!
AmaZulu edge Cape Town City
Last season, City defeated AmaZulu 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the MTN8. This time was AmaZulu’s to dump the Cape side out of the comptition. These teams swopped position as in the 2020/21 season AmaZulu finished second, whilst City finished 7th. In 2021/22 season, City were the ones who finished 2nd and AmaZulu 7th.
the KZN side needed an extra-time strike by Lehlonolo Majoro in the 113th minute to book their place in the semi-finals. Augustine Kwem opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes before Khanyisa Mayo equalised for City on the stroke of halftime.
Both teams traded blows during the 90 but it would ultimately go down to extra time. The away side made two attacking substitutions in the second half of extra time, that of Majoro and Brooks, to try and steal the game at the expense of the hosts.
The move paid off as it was Majoro who had the final say in the 113th minute when he netted the winner. This will be AmaZulu’s first MTN 8 semi-final since the tournament started in 2008.
⚽️ #𝐌𝐓𝐍𝟖 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏 ⚽️
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) August 29, 2022
AmaZulu FC coach Brandon Truter is confident that Usuthu can go all the way following their 2⃣➖1⃣ win over Cape Town City in the #MTN8 on Saturday.
Read more ▶️ https://t.co/sEAYuEjnrt #SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/mDQoKeJAy0
Pirates beat Royal AM again
Orlando Pirates defeated Royal AM for the second time in as many weeks as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the MTN8. Pirates had beaten AM 1-0 in the league encounter which was played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last week.
This was Royal AM’s first ever participation in the MTN8, and having recently lost at the Moses Mabhida against Pirates earlier in the league, it was prudent to take the clash to Chatsworth stadium, with AM hoping to better utilise home ground advantage.
Vincent Pule opened the scoring for the Sea Robbers in the third minute. The first half performance was clouded by five yellow cards which three of the five went to the home side’s way and two went to the visitors.
Thabiso Monyane doubled the Pirates’ lead before Shaune Magaila pulled one back in the 58th minute. The match ended on a sour note for both sides as midfielders Khethukuthula Ndlovu and Goodman Mosele both received their marching orders right at the end of the 90.
Orlando Pirates’ coach, Jose Riveiro, is proving many of his doubters wrong as the Buccaneers continue to improve in each and every match that they play.
A moment to forget for Ngcobo who spills a Thabiso Monyane shot into the back of the net 😵
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 27, 2022
Orlando Pirates lead 2-1 with 25 minutes to play in this #MTN8 encounter.
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/0BMWdeFwIB pic.twitter.com/Du1h2rYINz
Chiefs edge Stellies on penalties
Itumeleng Khune rolled back the years to help Chiefs beat Stellenbosch 4-3 on penalties after it ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Stellies scored first and silenced the visiting crowd when midfielder Sihle Nduli profited from a defensive error. Stellies’ high-pressing game was spot on inside the first 45 but they seemed run out steam in the second half. It was former Stellies striker, Ashley Du Preez, who made his first return from injury to score the equaliser to take both sides to extra time and eventually penalties.
After 120 minutes, it was Khune time when the former Bafana Bafana number 1 saved from Deano van Rooyen and Congolese star, William Likuta Luezi. Khune had last played for Chiefs at the same stage of the competition, last season, in a 2-2 draw against Sundowns which Chiefs lost 2-1 on penalties. Khune fans will be happy to see him being given minutes on the field after a long time on the sidelines.
⚽️ #𝐌𝐓𝐍𝟖 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏 ⚽️
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) August 29, 2022
Kaizer Chiefs progressed to the #MTN8 Semi-Finals after the penalty shootout victory over Stellenbosch FC on Sunday!
📽️▶️👇 #SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/cqQFaUrAhB
Tshwane derby… obvious!!!!
There was no surprise in the results of the Tshwane derby as the defending champions defeated a depleted young SuperSport United side 2-0 at the Tuks stadium.
SuperSport were unable to field Thabang SIbanyoni & Grant Magerman, who are both contracted to Sundowns but on loan at United.
Downs started the game with two former United top players in goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams and midfielder Tebogo Mokoena, whilst Sipho Mbule and Aubrey Modiba were on the bench and Grant Kekana on the stands nursing injury.
Both sides cancelled each other out in the first half, with very little action. The show started in the second half when new signings Abubeker Nasir and Marcelo Allende were introduced.
Allende, who scored in his debut match found the net yet again in the 79th minute to give the Brazilians the lead. At the stroke of fulltime, Abubaker Nasir scored the second of the night which sealed the game for Masandawana and booked their place in the last four.
SuperSport United coach, Gavin Hunt, left no stone unturned when expressing his annoyance on the clause Sundowns have on his players.
The completion of the top 4 will be every sponsor’s dream as these four teams are the four best-supported teams in the country.
Otro gol del chileno Marcelo Allende 🇨🇱 con los Sundows. 2 goles en 2 partidos para el atacante de Pudahuel viniendo desde la banca.
— Ochoa. 🇲🇽 (@AdrianOchoa78) August 28, 2022
También convierto el Abubeker Nassir, joven promesa de Etiopía 🇪🇹
Mamelodi a semis 🇿🇦pic.twitter.com/S3PK929icu
