Orlando Pirates power past Magesi to reach Carling Knockout semi-final

ORLANDO PIRATES (0)(2)

Moremi 50’, Makgopa 85’

MAGESI                      (0)(1)

Mokone 90'

Orlando Pirates are finally living up to the slogan of the Carling Knockout, Fak’uGesi — which loosely translates to bring your energy — after knocking out champions Magesi in the quarter-final.

Pirates beat Magesi 2-1 courtesy of goals from Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa at a buzzing Orlando Stadium on a gloomy Tuesday night. Pirates will now face either Stellenbosch, Richards Bay, or Golden Arrows for a spot in the final.

Should Pirates reach the final, they’ll play on December 6. Given that Bafana Bafana will assemble two days later, coach Hugo Broos will hope that all the players he has called up from the Bucs for AFCON in Morocco are fit and injury-free.

But before Pirates can think about the semi-final, they need to prepare for their Betway Premiership clash away to serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday. A victory for Pirates in that match would see them go level on 21 points with the log leaders, Sundowns, with a game in hand.

After losing to Magesi in the opening round of the competition last season, Pirates were eager for a different script — with a largely different cast.

And boy, did they bring the energy this season, with Abdeslam Ouaddou showing no blues after crashing out of the CAF Champions League preliminary round against St. Eloi Lupopo at this very same venue.

The Johannesburg weather was chilly, but the Ghost and the handful of Magesi supporters who braved it surely didn’t feel it, as the intensity of the match kept them warm and on their feet from start to finish.

While the belter from Tshepang Moremi came exactly five minutes after the restart, the pregnant skies threatened to open — and there were promises on the pitch that it would rain goals as well.

Yanela Mbuthuma, who got a rare start ahead of Evidence Makgopa, should have opened the floodgates, but Elvis Chipezeze won most of the duels.

Mbuthuma tested the waters first with a blinding shot early on, and Chipezeze smartly went down to make a comfortable save. The duo was back at it soon after, this time with Chipezeze saving Mbuthuma's header.

With the lanky striker knocking on the door without success, Masindi Nemtajela also had a shot at goal, but he too drew a comfortable save from the former Zimbabwean No. 1.

Lady Luck seemed to smile on Chipezeze, as Mbuthuma struck the crossbar from close range before the keeper made another terrific save from the striker's header.

The Ghost, who produced a cacophony of noise as they urged the team on, were also brought to their feet with loud cheers and applause when Ouaddou chest-trapped a ball that was headed for a throw-in, just in front of his dugout.

The heavens momentarily opened at half-time with a light drizzle, and that proved to be a good omen as Moremi — from the edge of the box — hit a curling thunderbolt that sailed into the top corner, beating Chipezeze hands down and bringing the Ghost to loud cheers.

Ouaddou — in what’s becoming a familiar sight — raced to the corner flag to celebrate with his troops.

Makgopa brought more joy to Ouaddou, the team, and the Ghost after marking his cameo in the second half with a poacher’s goal from close range.

Lehlohonolo Mokone pulled one back with the last kick of the game, and that’s how things ended as the Ghost lit up the cameras and sang Sekusela kancane, sizophumelela — which can be loosely translated to we are close to succeeding.

A song that could take on full significance if they go all the way to win the competition after two failed attempts.