Orlando Pirates have punched their ticket to the MTN8 final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Mamelodi Sundowns, following a 1-1 draw in the semi-final second leg.
The Buccaneers held their nerve from the spot, triumphing 4-1 in the shootout.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine emerged as the standout performer, making crucial saves to tilt the balance in Pirates’ favour.
Tshegofatso Mabasa then sealed the win with the decisive penalty, sending the Soweto giants into yet another showdown for silverware.
Read: Stellenbosch Advance to Final After Stalemate with Sekhukhune
Sundowns had looked in control of proceedings after taking the lead in the 17th minute when Iqraam Rayerns pounced on a rebound and buried his effort.
Rayners almost got his brace just after the halftime interval but the forward’s low left-footed came back off the upright.
The Soweto giants were pressing for the equaliser and it almost came when Thalente Mbatha’s long-range effort was headed into the net but Ronwen Willams leaped to make a brilliant save.
Pirates’ relentlessness finally paid off and they made it 1-1 after 73 minutes when Kamogelo Sebelebele scored from a close-range after taking advantage of a scramble in the box following a cross by Oswin Appollis.
The game eventually went into the lottery of penalties with Chaine saving from Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende before Mabasa delivered the knockout blow.
The Buccaneers will play Stellenbosch in the 2025/26 MTN8 final.