Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained his first-half substitution of Patrick Maswanganyi.
The Buccaneers again conceded first and Sundowns looked in control for large parts of the first interval.
Ouaddou, who had just made one change to his starting XI, with Maswanganyi replacing the injured Deano Van Rooyen and Kamogelo Sebelebele dropping to right-back – however he changed things around when taking Tito off after 37 minutes to move Sebelebele further forward.
But the coach insisted it was just a tactical decision, which was also vindicated as Sebelebele eventually found the equaliser before Bucs won on penalties.
“I’ve been a player for 17 years in the high level, this can happen sometimes that you are not in the game,” he told SuperSport TV.
“It doesn’t mean that you are a bad player. Tito is a good player, I believe in him – he’s a fantastic player. He’s been important for the club for many years.
“Today, was not maybe his day but I’m sure he’ll help us in the future.”
Pirates booked their fourth successive MTN8 final and will face the winner between Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch.