Klate and Manyisa give Bucs the win

A second half strike from Daine Klate secured a 2-1 win for Orlando Pirates over Mamelodi Sundowns in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash at Loftus Stadium on Saturday evening.

The win means that the Buccaneers stay on course to reach their fourth cup final this campaign. 

The teams were deadlocked at the break following goals from Oupa Manyisa and Elias Pelembe.

Both sides played with great drive and determination from the onset in what was a thoroughly enjoyable encounter ultimately decided by a moment of confusion inside the Sundowns penalty area.

Teko Modise, Thabo Nthethe and Mzikayise Mashaba returned to the starting XI for the hosts while Lennox Bacela and Helder Pelembe spearheaded the Buccaneers attack.

Pirates were awarded a penalty in the sixth minute after Mashaba was adjudged to have brought down Bacela inside the area.

The referee looked to have waved away claims for a penalty but after checking with his assistant Bucs were awarded a spot-kick.

Manyisa duly stepped up and sent Kennedy Mweene the wrong way, 1-0.

Elias Pelembe levelled matters in the 24^th minute. Anthony Laffor picked out the unmarked Mozambique star who controlled beautifully before firing a low effort past Senzo Meyiwa from inside the area.

Lebohang Mokoena grazed the up-right on the half-hour mark.

‘Cheeseboy’ beat Happy Jele and looked to have the beating of Meyiwa but the post denied the winger a goal against his former employers.

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Orlando Pirates at the interval.

Sundowns looked the better side after the break and squandered a couple of glorious opportunities, with Surprise Moriri notably missing a sitter before Klate grabbed what would prove to be the winner in the 62^nd minute.

The former SuperSport United winger’s floating free-kick deceived everyone, ultimately ending up in the back of the net.

Sundowns pressed forward in search of the equaliser with Moriri again going close near the end but Pirates held on to progress to the final four.

Bucs join Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs and KwaZulu-Natal outfit

Maritzburg United in the final four.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Pelembe 24’)

Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Manyisa 6’pen Klate 62’)

TEAMS

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene; Mashaba (Langerman 68’)Mm, Schut, Nthethe, Mphahlele, Modise, Zungu (Malajila 77’), Billiat (Pelembe 17’), Mokoena, Moriri, Laffor

Orlando Pirates: Meyiwa, Matlaba, Sangweni, Mahamutsa, Jele, Klate, Manyisa, Ntshumayelo, Myeni (Makola 46’), Pelembe (Gabuza 85’), Bacela (Masuku 64’)

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