Orlando Pirates secured their spot in the Nedbank Cup final after defeating Golden Arrows 1-0 in their semi-final encounter at the Princess Magogo Stadium, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Pirates looked more likely to score in the opening exchanges of the encounter, with Dove Wome and Thabo Rakhale threatening in the early exchanges.

Mpho Makola came close to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute, but the midfielder ballooned his effort over the crossbar.

Pirates dominated possession and were rewarded for their attacking efforts when Abbubaker Mobara headed home Makola’s enticing free kick into the area in the 33rd minute.

Arrows struggled to offer much resistance against Pirates’ dominance as the Soweto giants went into the half-time break with a one-goal lead.

Clinton Larsen’s side started the second half with more of an attacking intent and almost equalised through a speculative effort from Nduduzo Sibiya.

Pirates upped their efforts to double their advantage and were unfortunate not to do so in the 64th minute when Manyisa did well to evade the attention of a defender, before threading a ball through Wome, but Musa Bilankulu’s timely clearance ensured that the scoreline remained at 1-0.

Riyaad Norodien replaced Wome in the 72nd minute as Kjell Jonevret’s side looked to put the game to bed. Arrows also made a tactical change in search of the equaliser as Vuyani Ntanga came on for Wayde Jooste in the 75th minute.

Content with their one-goal lead, the Soweto giants looked to shut up shop as Makola made way for Gladwin Shitolo in the 76th minute.

Arrows threw numbers forward in search of the equaliser in the remaining minutes of the encounter, but failed to carve an opening past a resilient Pirates defence.

Pirates held on to their one-goal lead to run out 1-0 victors and  secure their spot in the final, where they will meet SuperSport United.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix