Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City got their 2020/21 PSL campaign underway this evening at the Orlando Stadium when they met in the MTN8.
After a sluggish start to the game, Cape Town City pounced on a loose ball in the Orlando Pirates’ box however Nyauza was on hand to shield goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands and avert any danger.
Terrence Dzvukamanja opened his Orlando Pirates account on debut with a fine glancing header into the top corner from a Wayde Jooste cross to give the Buccaneers the lead in the 23rd minute.
Watch: Dzvukamanja heads Pirates ahead
Things went from bad to worse for Cape Town City when attacker Fagrie Lakay’s evening was brought to an abrupt halt after receiving a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Jooste in the 33rd minute.
Both teams pushed for a further goal before the half-time whistle however it wasn’t to be with Abubaker Mobara sending a freekick well over the mark from a decent position on the stroke of Half-time.
A vicious Gabadinho Mhango volley almost got Orlando Pirates off to the perfect start in the second half however Peter Leeuwenburgh’s fine save kept things level in their MTN8 clash.
Thulani Hlatshwayo thought he found a debut Orlando Pirates goal only to be penalised for jersey tugging in the Cape Town City box moments before he fired a header home in the 48th minute.
Thabo Nodada came close to finding the equalizer in the 62nd minute with a powerful effort from just outside of the box however his effort went just over the crossbar.
Siphesihle Ndlovu forced Leeuwenburgh into a fine save before fluffing his follow up effort with just 10 minutes to go in their MTN8 clash.
Cape Town City almost found a late equalizer in stoppage time when Mobara played a dangerous ball into the box however Tashreeq Morris failed to get a touch on it from close range.
Orlando Pirates managed to see out the remainder of the game to book their place in the MTN8 semi-finals while snapping up a six game winless run against their Cape opponents.
MTN8: Orlando Pirates vs Cape Town City starting lineups
Orlando Pirates XI: Sandilands, Jooste, Hlatshwayo, Nyauza, Ndlovu, Makaringe, Motshwari, Hotto, Pule, Mhango, Dzvukamanja.
Subs: Mpontshane, Jele, Monyane, Tlolane, Mntambo, Makgaka, Lorch, Dlamini, Lepasa.
Cape Town City XI: Leeuwenburgh, Mkhize, Fielies, Mobara, Edmilson, Mokeke, Nodada, Roberts, Mdantsane, Martin, Lakay.
Subs: Anderson, Mashego, Cupido, Makola, Kewuti, Morris, Potouridis.
