Orlando Pirates' three wisemen walk through Mamelodi Sundowns' blazing fire to help the Bucs reach MTN8 final

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (1) (0)

Rayners 16’

ORLANDO PIRATES (0) (1)

Sebelebele 74’

Aggregate 2-2, Pirates won 4-1 on penalties

When the deputy minister of defence and military veterans, Bantu Holomisa, sent almost everyone to hell this week, Orlando Pirates’ three wise men clearly didn’t heed the call.

Abdeslam Ouaddou, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Sipho Chaine survived the blazing furnace of Mamelodi Sundowns to send Pirates to the MTN8 final.

Pirates drew 2-2 with Sundowns on aggregate in this MTN8 semi-final, and eventually won 4-1 on penalties to reach their fourth successive Wafa Wafa Cup final.

It was a victory that eased the pressure on the Sea Robbers after a rollercoaster start to the season.

So, Pirates will look back at this win with ample belief that they can turn their fortunes around, starting by chasing their fourth MTN8 crown under coach Ouaddou.

Such was the pressure on Ouaddou that a defeat here could well have sent him packing – and into the depths of hell.

But it wasn’t to be. His attire and tactics, Sebelebele’s Player of the Match-winning performance, and Chaine’s heroics during the penalty shootout guided them to the final.

The Lucas Masterpieces Stadium – enveloped by the mountains of Atteridgeville and carrying the spirit of Manaslu, the Killer Mountain – is Sundowns’ slaughterhouse.

And with African giants such as Al Ahly having fallen here before, Sundowns were ready to unleash their wrath and send Pirates to the depths of hell.

The fact that conditions here are usually at their hottest in the afternoon didn’t seem likely to help Pirates either.

But Pirates embodied the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – the three men in the fire – as they came out unharmed in regulation time and penalties.

The Ghost proved to be divine intervention for the three wise men, cheering them on from start to finish and dominating with their presence in the stands.

Ouaddou was dressed for the occasion, ditching his baggy pants and puffer jacket for a silk, smartly fitted suit in the dugout.

And the Bucs seemed to embody Ouaddou’s shiny look as they started brightly, with Relebohile Mofokeng running at the Sundowns rearguard with pace and skill.

Mofokeng, who was also eager to impress national team coach Hugo Broos ahead of the World Cup qualifiers squad announcement, was let down by his final efforts.

Sundowns didn’t panic. They controlled the tempo and dominated possession, using the sharpness of Tashreeq Matthews and the pace of Iqraam Rayners.

It wasn’t long before the duo combined to send Masandawana buzzing, and the Ghost into the fire.

Matthews teed up Rayners inside the box, and the latter did well to turn and unleash a shot that was blocked by Lebone Seema.

The resultant clearance from the young defender, though, fell into the path of Rayners, who needed no second invitation as he slotted home at Sipho Chaine’s near post.

Attention temporarily shifted from the goal to the stands as Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi made a grand entrance and proved a popular sight.

Play resumed, and there seemed to be a lot of heat in the kitchen as Patrick Maswanganyi, who was supposed to be one of the MasterChefs, was withdrawn before the break.

As the weather cooled in the second half, the Sea Robbers started to sail into calmer waters as they dictated play more.

Ouaddou energised his team by bringing in fresh legs, including striker Tshegofatso Mabasa for Evidence Makgopa, while Abdoulaye Mariko replaced Sihle Nduli in midfield.

Soon thereafter Pirates got their equaliser. Oswin Appollis sent in a cross which Mabasa side-flicked into open space before Sebelebele pounced and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Sebelebele’s heroics – his third successive goal and second straight Player of the Match award – carried the team all the way to the penalty shootout.

Enter Chaine. The Bucs’ No. 1 came back to haunt Sundowns – having saved three penalties en route to Pirates’ MTN8 triumph in 2023 – as he saved the first two here.

So, while Mabasa may have slotted the winning penalty, it was the three wise men who stopped Pirates from becoming victims of the minister’s bold directive!