Orlando Pirates narrowly beat Richards Bay 1-0 to secure a spot in the Carling Knockout Cup final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Tshepang Moremi’s first-half strike proved decisive, sending the Buccaneers through to their second final this season, following their MTN8 triumph in September.
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Abdeslam Ouaddou made four changes to the starting line-up from the previous game, replacing Lebone Seema, Thabiso Lebitso and Evidence Makgopa with Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano Van Rooyen and Yanela Mbuthuma, while Thalente Mbatha came in for the injured Sihle Nduli.
Meanwhile, the Natal Rich Boyz made only one chance with Moses Mthembu starting in the place of Thabani Zuke.
As anticipated, Pirates showed some agility in their build-ups and offensive play, creating moments of threat with box entries as they sought an early goal against a home side that seemingly refused to sit back.
For a period, goal-scoring opportunities were scarce at both ends. Although the visitors frequently reached the final third, Richards Bay’s solid defense held firm. Towards the end of the first half, Ezimnyama Ngenkani kept on coming back, and they eventually found the breakthrough via Tshepang Moremi, who slotted home after a lob pass from Sipho Mbule.
The away side resumed play in the second half by maintaining their dominance in possession, fueling some exciting and determined forward movements as they searched for a second goal.
Meanwhile, Richards Bay bravely attempted to drive forward and find an equalizer, but they found it impossible to break down the resilient defense of the Soweto giants.
Ronnie Gabriel’s troops just couldn’t do enough to force the game into the extra time with Abdeslam Ouaddou guiding his side to their first league cup final since the 2018/19 season when they lost to Baroka FC in Gqeberha.
They await to found out their opponents in the final, with the second semi-final between Golden Arrows and Marumo Gallants set to take place on Sunday, 09 November at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.
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