Orlando Pirates best Sekhukhune United 1-0 in the first leg of the MTN 8 semifinals in a game played on Saturday at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Pirates took the advantage going into the second leg next Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers took control from the onset in the first half as they looked to get off to an early start against a Sekhukhune outfit, who were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure while using the pace of Bright Ndlovu and Ngoanamelo Rammala on the counter.
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That proved to be the trend for most of the first half, with the visitors getting their best openings from set-pieces although Oswin Appollis sent his free-kick straight at Melusi Buthelezi, who also called upon to keep out Deon Hotto’s effort a few minutes later.
However, Sekhukhune’s resistance finally broke three minutes before the halftime as Hotto opened his account for the campaign by combining with Ghampani Lungu on the edge of the box before rifling the ball into the top corner, leaving Buthelezi with no chance.
Sekhukhune were nearly gifted a way back into the clash ten minutes after the break when Thabo Nkwana broke free down the right and unleashed a low strike, which goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was unable to hold on although the ball sailed inches wide of the upright.
The moment that all Pirates fans were waiting for arrived in the 64th minute when Pedersen came on for his Buccaneers debut in place of Mbuthuma, who had another quiet afternoon in the attack while Selepe and Kgositsile were also introduced.
The Norwegian striker almost made the perfect start when he latched on to a loose ball after Daniel Cardoso lost the ball and surged towards the goal, but he was unable to find the target from the edge of the box with only Buthelezi to beat.
The miss did not comeback to haunt the Buccaneers, who were able to see out the rest of the encounter to claim a vital away win ahead of the second leg next weekend, however the two sides will face off again in the league on Tuesday night.
