Defending champions Orlando Pirates booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup final with a 3-1 win over Chippa United on Saturday afternoon.
Patrick Maswanganyi and Makhehlene Makhaula returned from suspension and slotted back in the Buccaneers’ line-up, while Stanley Nwabali was back in for goal for Chippa.
It was a fine start on five minutes for the Soweto giants after Kabelo Dlamini broke the deadlock with a lovely free-kick that found the bottom corner.
The Soweto giants did have to shake up personnel around the midway phase as a troubling injury forced Deon Hotto to leave on a stretcher, with Innocent Maela brought on as his natural replacement.
Chippa were on the back-foot and cut through once more wen a flowing passing move led to a side-foot effort for Thalente Mbatha, but Nwabali produced tremendous reflexes.
Both teams had a go later on, but it was the visitors that got ahead five minutes to halftime when Dlamini collected Maswanganyi’s cross and bundled in the near post.
Substitutions were made by both sides before the resumption, with Kayden Francis and Elmo Kambindu coming on for Chippa while the Buccaneers brought on Miguel Timm for Mbatha.
Mofokeng’s inciting play came minutes apart in a combination alongside Timm wide of the six-yard box but he slammed across the face of goal.
Chippa reduced the deficit midway in the second period after a quick move from a route one led Bienvenu Eva Nga to play in a cutback for Kambindu to tap in.
The Buccaneers restored the lead ten minutes from time as substitute Tapelo Xoki stuck out a leg in a awkward position to guide in Maswanganyi’s cross.
A set-back in the last two minutes had Chippa reduced to ten men as Nga committed a second bookable offence and was shown a red card.
Pirates remained in control and confirmed the victory to advance to the final as well as on course to defend the cup.
Confirmed line-ups:
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kammies, Makhele, Chabalala, Modise, Poggenpoel, Konqobe, Martin, Francis, Kwayiba, Eva Nga.
Subs: Johnson, Tyongwana, Maarman, Mahlatsi, Luthuli, Mqokozo, Nhlapo, Kambindu
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Sesane, Xoki, Hotto, Monyane, Mbatha, Makhuala, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Dlamini, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Maela, Sibisi, Timm, Baloni, Ndlondlo, Kapinga, Saleng, Makgopa
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