Pro Philani looks back at the past round of local football as Pirates thrashed Sundowns, AmaZulu progressed to the final and more!
Up the Bucs!!!
Orlando Pirates ended Sundowns’ dominance over them in style as they defeated the Brazilians 3-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
On-form, Monnapule Saleng, continued with his form as he tormented Sundowns’ defense throughout the match.
Saleng provided an assist in the 8th minute for former Sundowns striker Kermit Erasmus to open the floodgates. The downside of the celebration was when Erasmus went to celebrate in front of Sundowns fans and made gestures of unsporting behavior.
Saleng proved to be a handful on Pirates’ right-hand side, and Sundowns had no answers to his pace and skill. The match became heated as tempers started flying with players flying all over the pitch and collecting bookings. The second half started with Sundowns still searching for an equalizer.
Since 2011, Sundowns are said to have won only two matches coming from behind and those in the stats world knew that the defending champions were faced with a daunting task to overturn the deficit.
With striker Peter Shalulile out, whilst the first leg ended 0-0 in Orlando Stadium, Pirates home venue, Downs needed to look elsewhere for solutions to find goals that would have helped them progress to the next round, but Pirates’ defense of Innocent Maela, Olisa Ndah and Nkosinathi Sibisi remained solid.
Saleng finished the game strongly in the last 10 minutes as Saleng found his brace to take the Buccaneers to their 6th MTN 8 final.
Saleng’s direct running will be a problem for many teams this season.
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) October 22, 2022
pic.twitter.com/ooM1ZrfQAF
Hebe! Usuthu!!!!!
The last time AmaZulu were in the final of any cup competition organized by the league was in 2010.
They last won a trophy in 1992 and coach Romain Folz was two years old. In their 90th year of existence celebration, they have made it to the MTN 8 final for the very first time.
AmaZulu are the 13th new finalist, and only the second KZN side to make it through. A goalless draw in a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium was enough for a Romain Folz-led side on Sunday afternoon.
Usuthu came into the with an away goal advantage which was scored by Gabadinho Mhango at the FNB stadium a fortnight ago.
They had a perfect game plan on the afternoon to neutralize Chiefs’ fullbacks, and it worked, as they controlled the first half and had better chances with midfielder Siphesihle Maduna and striker Chidi Kwem had the best of them all.
Chiefs hardly ever changed gears and could not penetrate the tight Usuthu defense. Chiefs hardly ever troubled Usuthu defense, and had 0 shots on target in the whole match.
Chiefs surprised AmaZulu with striker Bonfilis-Caleb’s inclusion whom was reported in the media to be out with a 4-week thigh muscle injury. The Burundian looked off-paced throughout his time on the pitch and was closely monitored by Abubaker Mubara of Usuthu until he was replaced by Khama Billiat.
Billiat, another player whom looked like a former self had no impact in the match, and hardly inspired Chiefs to move to a high gear in search for a winner.
The Zungu brothers will be in a joyful mood having seen their new man, Folz, delivering a cup final appearance for the first time in their reign.
MAN OF THE MATCH
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) October 23, 2022
George Maluleka (AmaZulu v Chiefs)#MTN8 #UNPLAYABLE pic.twitter.com/6HHL46kQfm
