Orlando Pirates came from behind to secure a late 2-1 victory over Stellenbosch in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg match at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
Stellies came into this fixture looking to return to winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats in the last two matches.
Pirates, meanwhile, were high in confidence coming into this fixture having claimed three consecutive wins across all competitions in their last three matches.
The home side drew first blood and opened the scoring in the 51st minute when Olivier Toure rose the highest to header the ball home for his first goal for Stellies.
Against all odds 10-man Stellenbosch FC head to the break ahead against Pirates.
📺 Stream #MTN8 live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/hftz5fY91X
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 3, 2023
The Buccaneers managed to find the equalising goal in the 66th minute after in-form striker Zakhele Lepasa latched on to a pin-point cross into the box to header the ball past Sage Stephens in goal.
Zakhele Lepasa is in red-hot form ♨
He draws Pirates level and secures a vital away goal for Amabhakabhaka.
📺 Stream #MTN8 live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/qcvzbt8MzA
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 3, 2023
The game looked on course to end in a draw but Deon Hotto had other ideas after he scored a goal deep into stoppage time to hand his side the win in Athlone.
Patrick Maswanganyi stars for Pirates with two assists as Pirates come from behind to win against 10-man Stellenbosch in the #MTN8 ✅ pic.twitter.com/qARnPj5mf4
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 3, 2023
Photo by Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
