Pirates still hanging on to dreams of a trophy

22 May 2017 - 09:13 By TMG Digital
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Abbubaker Mobara of Pirates in action during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town at Orlando Stadium on May 17, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Abbubaker Mobara of Pirates in action during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town at Orlando Stadium on May 17, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates' 80th anniversary celebrations appear to be back on track, at least for the time being, after the Bucs beat Golden Arrows 1-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban yesterday, to reach the final of the Nedbank Cup.

A beautifully taken first-half header by Abbubaker Mobara ensured that Pirates will be lining up against Supersport United in what could be a nail-biting Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on June 24.

United earned their place in the final by beating Chippa United 4-2 on penalties at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in East London on Saturday.

Mobara's header handed Pirates an opportunity to avoid the ignominy of finishing the season empty-handed when they were supposed to be celebrating their 80th year as a club.

Pirates dominated the first half and Mpho Makola should have opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute when he found himself with acres of space inside the Arrows area. But instead of picking a spot and putting Nkosingiphile Gumede to the sword, he fired the ball into the heavens.

But Makola made amends later in the half when his delivery found Mobara at the near-post who, in turn, beat Gumede with a header.

The Arrows' defence was appalling - Mobara didn't even have the discomfort of a rival breathing down his neck as he made his way to accept the early Christmas gift.

Arrows managed to put up a better fight in the second half as they searched for an elusive equalising goal that would have taken the game to extra time.

Nduduzo Sibiya could have scored the equaliser at the death. His deceptive freekick curled beyond the reach of Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane but as Golden Arrows fans celebrated what they expected to be a brilliant goal, the ball hit the crossbar.

The Pirates rearguard recovered quickly and cleared the ball for a corner kick.

It was Arrows' best opportunity of the game and the KwaZulu-Natal side will be forgiven if watching replays gives them nightmares.

Pirates and a relieved Swedish coach Kjell Jonevret can now look forward to next month's final with a weight off their shoulders.

The Bucs still face the prospect of finishing the season outside of the top eight for the first time since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1996.

Earning a place in the Nedbank Cup final will go a long way towards softening that blow.

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