Orlando Pirates are into yet another cup final after defeating Richards Bay 1-0 in their Carling Knockout semi-final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Another final
Pirates’ place in the decider means they have now featured in seven of the last 10 domestic cup finals, an excellent show of consistency. They have won the last four MTN8 titles and two of the previous three Nedbank Cup deciders. This is their first Carling Knockout final since 2018, when they were beaten by Baroka FC. There is no doubt who the current ‘Cup Kings’ of South African football are.
Moremi opener
Pirates took the lead four minutes before the break, with Tshepang Moremi scoring yet again. Oswin Appollis’ superb long ball picked him out on the left-hand side of the box, and his first touch was perfect before he set himself and fired home. It was his third goal in five games and sixth of the season in all competitions, underlining why he has been called up to the Bafana Bafana squad. The visitors deserved the goal, having applied all the pressure in the opening period.
Flowers for Appollis
Appollis is currently a cut above most players in the Premier Soccer League. His trickery, vision, and work rate are second to none, and it’s easy to see why Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has made him a fixture in his side. For a player once rejected by several clubs earlier in his career, it has been a remarkable turnaround. Perhaps the 24-year-old just needed someone to believe in him.
Third time unlucky
Richards Bay reached the Carling Knockout semi-finals for the third successive season, but once again it ended in disappointment. They lost to Stellenbosch FC (0-3) in 2023 and Magesi FC (0-1) last year. This was always going to be their toughest challenge, and while they were competitive, they never really looked like troubling Pirates. As an aside, this was their ninth Carling Knockout fixture in their history, and every single one has been at home. A quirk of the draw.
Who’s next?
Pirates must wait for the winner of Sunday’s second Carling Knockout semi-final between Lamontville Golden Arrows and Marumo Gallants before knowing their final opponents. Whoever it is, Pirates will go in as overwhelming favourites, though history warns otherwise. They have reached nine finals in this competition before and won just one, against Bidvest Wits in 2011.