Highlands Park advanced to the MTN8 semi-finals after claiming a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Buccaneers came into this encounter after falling to a shock 3-0 defeat by SuperSport United in their previous match in the PSL.
Meanwhile, the Lions of the North were forced to share the spoils with Maritzburg United after playing to a 1-1 draw in their last game.
In the last two meetings between the two sides, they were forced to share the spoils in the Absa Premiership after playing out to a 1-1 and 2-2 draw, respectively.
Pirates came out with intent early on and came close to taking the lead after nine minutes when Agustine Mulenga played a ball through to Thabiso Monyane, who blazed his effort over the crossbar.
Highlands had their first real chance at goal in the 21st minute after Lindokuhle Mbatha unleashed a shot at goal, but saw his effort sail inches wide of the target.
Vincent Pule should have handed Pirates the lead three minutes later after latching in to a cross from Monyane, but the attacker headed his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
At the other end, Tendai Ndoro had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 26th minute, but the Zimbabwean failed to direct his free header on target.
The home side came close after 35 minutes as Mulenga played a ball over the top for Thembinkosi Lorch, who lobbed his effort wide of target after going through on goal.
Limbikani Mzava came to his side’s rescue moments later when he made a great save to deny Lorch’s effort from a tight angle.
Wayne Sandilands kept his side in the game after producing two good saves to deny Wayde Jooste and Ndoro in the final 10 minutes of the first stanza.
The game went into half time with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
Both sides upped their tempo in the early stages of the second half as they looked to get an early lead.
Justin Shonga had a great chance to hand his side the lead in the 55th minute, but the Pirates striker failed to beat Ngobeni in a one-on-one situation.
Ndengane made a vital block in the 73rd minute when he cut out a Jooste through-ball destined for Peter Shalulie.
Pirates made their first change of the game two minutes later when Mulenga was replaced by Luvuyo Memela.
The visitors then took the lead with eight minutes left to play when Jooste rifled his shot past Sandilands to make it 1-0.
Pirates made a double change late in the second half when Thabiso Noyane and Ben Motshwari came off in place of Tshegofatso Mabasa and Kabelo Dlamini, respectively.
However, Highlands held on to their lead over Pirates until the final whistle to advance into the semi-finals of the top-eight competition.
