Pirates through to MTN8 semis
A late penalty helped Orlando Pirates progress through to the MTN8 semifinals, by beating Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
Andile Jali's spot kick came in the 82nd minute after Kurt Lentjies was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
The hosts dominated possession in the opening stanza with debutant Sifiso Myeni proving troublesome on the flanks with his probing pace.
Myeni was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the opening minutes after his cross caught Johannes Motlhaping's hand inside the box.
The former Wits player then saw his attempted curler narrowly go over the bar midway through the half.
The Buccaneers' best chance came on the stroke of halftime when Ndumiso Mabena drew a save from Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb at close range.
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Daine Klate squandered the rebound as his shot went wide.
Celtic showed glimpses of potential with their best opportunity coming in the 37th minute when Ruzaigh Gamaldien found Kurt Lentjies in the box, with the midfielder finishing wide.
Phunya Sele Sele came out with better intent in the second half, with winger Joel Mogorosi finishing wide from an Auguston Leonard cross five minutes into the half.
Then substitute Lerato Manzini forced a save from Pirates keeper Moeneeb Josephs, with Thabo Nthethe squandering the rebound shortly before the hour mark.
Pirates made a late surge in the final 15 minutes as the match looked to be heading to extra-time before netting a winner with eight minutes left on the clock.
Substitute Manti Moholo could have doubled the margin in injury time as his long range shot came off the woodwork.
