Harambee Stars defender Brian ‘Niang’ Mandela was left out of the match day squad as Mamelodi Sundowns got knocked out of the MTN 8 Cup in the semis by Orlando Pirates following a 3-0 win.The two sides had played to a barren draw in the first leg of the two-legged semifinal at the start of the month, but it was Pirates who picked up a win when it mattered most to book a spot in the final.Mandela was an unused sub as his Sundowns laboured to a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants on in a Premier Soccer League match staged at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria in midweek and perhaps could have fancied the cup game to get back to competitive action after spending some time out.Not our day in Polokwane. We’ll dust ourselves off and gear up for the next one! 👆Mamelodi Sundowns 0️⃣ ➖3️⃣ Orlando Pirates (8′ Erasmus, 82, 90+2′ Saleng) #Sundowns #DownsLive #MTN8 pic.twitter.com/I3qerpzk7U— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 22, 2022 Kermit Erasmus broke the deadlock with an early goal in the eighth minute to go into the break with the advantage, but it was not until the last nine minutes of regular time that another goal was witnessed in the match.##NAJAVA_MECA_6746382##With nine minutes left to play in the second half, Monnapule Saleng doubled the advantage to get Pirates into a more conniving lead, then grabbed his second for the game and Pirates third in the second minute of stoppage time.☠️ FT || @Masandawana 0 – 3 @orlandopirates🥅 8′ @Erasmus_95🥅 83′, 90’+ Saleng🎙 Man of the Match & Goalscorer | Monnapule Saleng🎙 Midfielder | @miguel_timm⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday #MTN8#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/q9RyhG2Zvp— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) October 22, 2022 The victory means that the Soweto Giants are in for their second shot at the title in three years, having last hoisted the coveted trophy in December 2020.Pirates will now face off with the overall winner between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs who meet on Sunday for the second leg, the first leg having ended in a one-all draw.
