Here is a recap of the opening week of the MTN8 as the Bucs and Stellies made it to the last four
The opening MTN8 quarter-final weekend saw Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC both march to the semi-final with identical 3-1 victories.
Pirates needed extra time to silence SuperSport United on Saturday while Stellenbosch completed the job in regulation time against TS Galaxy on Sunday.
Eight goals in two games
The Buccaneers had Monnapule Saleng to thank for their win as the winger set up defender Olisa Ndah for the opening goal.
However, former Pirates man Vincent Pule levelled matters after connecting well with Bradley Grobler’s headed pass and the two teams were not separated in regulation time.
Extra time was needed to decide the tie and Pirates came up trumps when Kabelo Dlamini set up Saleng to hammer home the second.
Saleng then had a hand in the third goal. The winger was through on goal when SuperSport goalkeeper Ricardo Goss came off his line to close him down but the ball fell to substitute Evidence Makgopa who slotted in an empty goal for 3-1.
On Sunday, Fawaaz Basadien had a goal and an assist but Sihle Nduli was awarded man of the match for Stellenbosch.
TS Galaxy broke the deadlock through Mike Sebelebele but Stellenbosch responded through Jayden Adams and Andre De Jong for a 2-1 lead at halftime before Basadien added the third 12 minutes after the break.
What they said
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro was full of praise for man of the match Saleng whom he feels could be coming back to his brilliant best after struggling last season.
“I wish… If I compare this pre-season with the past pre-season, he’s in a better space – his performances, his work was really good,” Riveiro told iDiski Times.
“Today [Saturday] he showed what he’s capable of doing. Good surroundings with good players at the same time.
“I think today he had a really good night, he was a permanent threat for the opponent. He was really happy now after the match and I’m sure it’s going to help him to go for a good season one more time.
“We missed him a little bit in certain moments last season, so we are happy to see this type of performance again. It feels like it’s been a long time [ago] that he was Man of the Match.”
Meanwhile, TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic was furious at the state of the pitch at the Danie Craven Stadium which made play difficult following a heavy downpour.
“We came to a game where probably a cow can break its legs and I ask myself, how can the PSL allow a game to be played on a field like this,” a furious Ramovic told SuperSport TV after the match.
“Now they have increased the MTN8 prize money but they can increase up to R100m but they have to start by fixing fields and not to allow my players, a professional team, to play on a field like this. It is a disgrace and embarrassing but PSL decide how we should play.”
Player of the week
Saleng had a hand in all three goals for Pirates which won him man of the match and with the big impact, he takes the accolade for the player of the week.
The winger squared for Ndah to break the deadlock, finished off Dlamini’s pass, before his great run on goal disoriented the SuperSport goalkeeper, leading to his team’s third goal.
Pirates fans must be hoping that the Saleng of 2022-23 is back for 2024-25.
