Orlando Pirates Survive Dondol Scare

After defeating the ABC Motsepe League team on penalties, Orlando Pirates overcame a scare from Dondol Stars to go to the Nedbank Cup semifinal.

Dondol Stars of the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League nearly extended their fairytale Nedbank Cup run on Saturday when they put forth another valiant effort against a professional team, this time Orlando Pirates, in the quarterfinals at the Peter Mokaba stadium.

After the regular-time game finished with a score of 1-1, Stars forced the Buccaneers into overtime.

Thembinkosi Lorch scored the game's first goal from the left in the 55th minute with help from Kermit Erasmus, who came off the bench. However, the celebrations were short-lived when Stars won a corner kick three minutes later, and Tebogo Makungo headed to level.

Even though it appeared like Paseka Mako had hauled Makungo down, the referee had dismissed the penalty early in the first half.

Pirates had the majority of the possession, but both in the first and second halves, they missed opportunities.

Late in the second half, Jose Riveiro's team applied further pressure, culminating in Nkosinathi Sibisi's 80th-minute goal being saved by the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Mako attempted a long-range shot as well, but the goalkeeper had it too easy.

Deep into extra time, Bandile Shandu had a golden chance to give Pirates the win with a fantastic shot, but Sphamndla Gumede made an outstanding stop to keep Stars in the game.

Dondol took Pirates all the way to penalties but missed their fifth spot-kick, while Pirates scored five out of five to secure their position in the last four of the competition.