By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Defending champions Orlando Pirates booked their place in the 2025 MTN8 final after a 4-1 win in the penalty shootout against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw in the regulation time and 2-2 on aggregate across both legs. The MTN8 finalist had to be decided by the spot kicks, with Pirates ultimately emerging the winners.
Iqraam Rayners bagged his third goal of the competition, while Kamogelo Sebelebele is slowly establishing himself as an important piece of Pirates’ puzzle, scored an equaliser.
Pirates were first to threaten as Relebohile Mofokeng played a clever chip to Evidence Makgopa in the box, who scuffed his shot, failing to worry Ronwen Williams.
It took Sundowns 16 minutes to take the lead, as Rayners cut the ball back for Marcelo Allende but his shot was blocked by the sliding Lebone Seema.
The rebound landed for Rayners, who slotted the ball past the scrambling Sipho Chaine to put Sundowns in front.
The Brazilians nearly went two goals clear at the start of the second half as Arthur Sales fed Rayners in the box but from left inside the area, hit the right post.
The Buccaneers bounced back against the run of play in the 73rd minute, drawing level with a scrappy goal finished by Sebelebele for his second of the tie.
With the game going straight to penalties at the expiration of regulation time, Sundowns missed both of their first two penalties, taken by Mokoena and Allende, while Tshegofatso Mabasa slotted the winner to give Pirates a 4-1 victory in the shootout.
Pirates will face either Stellenbosch or Sekhukhune United in the final for the chance to add a 14th MTN8 title to their trophy cabinet.