The result set up a fourth consecutive last-four appearance for the Soweto Giants, who continue to stretch their dominant spell in the competition.

The side from Limpopo was under pressure for much of the opening ten minutes, and the breakthrough proved imminent. It came off the boot of a player familiar to the opposition in Oswin Appollis, who left Polokwane City for the Soweto Club earlier this season.

Unforced errors remained the source of the visitors’ brightest moments, but they weren’t able to capitalise.

‘Pirates have sealed their spot in the semis’

A blunder of their own deep in their half proved to be their undoing as Appollis continued to be a thorn in their side. He was brought down inside the box with the referee not hesitating in pointing to the spot.

Patrick Maswanganyi was the man to step up to the occasion, and he had no issue placing the ball into the back of the net to send Pirates two up with ten minutes remaining before the break.

Deon Hotto almost added a third goal for the home side midway in the second half with a curling free-kick outside the area that clipped the top of the woodwork.

Thanks to the win, Pirates have sealed their spot in the semis as they continue their search for an unprecedented fourth successive MTN8 title.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg