MTN8: Orlando Pirates 1-2 Swallows FC: Defending champions bow out after Soweto Derby loss

MTN8: Orlando Pirates 1-2 Swallows FC: Defending champions bow out after Soweto Derby loss

Defending champions Orlando Pirates were eliminated from the MTN8 after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Swallows FC in the quarter-final match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.

Ruzaigh Gamiliden’s first-half brace was enough to earn the Beautiful Birds a hard-fought win over the Buccaneers, who grabbed a consolation goal through Kabelo Dlamini.

Coach Josef Zinnbauer’s team selection raised a few eyebrows with Bongani Sam and Tebogo Tlolane starting ahead of Happy Jele and Frank Mhango, who were Pirates’ among substitutes.

Zinnbauer’s counterpart, Brandon Truter opted for experienced players with former Pirates players Thabo Matlaba, Musa Nyatama, and Lebohang Mokoena all starting for Swallows.

It was Swallows, who started the match brightly and the first real chance of the game fell for Gamiliden, but his deflected shot was easily gathered by goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Pirates were finding it difficult to contain the visitors’ quick front three of Gamildein, Khetukuthula Ndlovu, and Dillion Solomons, who were playing with confidence. 

Beautiful Birds were awarded a free kick in a promising area after Ndlovu was fouled and Gamiliden beat Ofori at the near-post from the set-piece to hand Swallows a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.

Swallows were then gifted a goal seven minutes later when Ofori came out of his area and lost possession which saw Gamilden capitalize by chipping the ball into the net to make it 2-0 to the visitors. 

This served as a wake-up call for Pirates and they began surging forward in numbers and they were awarded a penalty after keeper Virgil Vries had fouled Deon Hotto in the box. 

Dlamini stepped up and converted from the penalty spot-kick to make it 2-1 on the half-hour mark, but Swallows were able to hold on to their slender until match referee Luxolo Badi blew the half-time whistle.

Jele was introduced prior to the start of the second-half as Zinnbauer stabilized his defence, while Truter handed Monnapule Saleng and Keletso Makgalwa their official Swallows debut.

The visitors thought they had restored their two-goal lead when Makgalwa scored after was sent through on goal by Saleng, but the goal was disallowed for offside. 

Hotto then became a constant thorn in the side of Swallows defence as the Namibia international dribbled past his marker, before setting up Pule, who was denied by Vries from close range.

Bandile Shandu then played a defence-splitting passing for Hotto, who somehow fired wide of the target from a one-on-one situation with his compatriot Vries.

Pirates bombarded the visitors’ box with crosses searching for strikers Terrence Dzvukamanja and Frank Mhango in the latter stages of the match as they looked to snatch a late equalizing goal.

However, Swallows stood firm at the back with Truter having introduced towering centre back Katlego Mohamme, and ultimately, they emerged 2-1 winners over their Soweto rivals on the night.