Hotto stunner hands Pirates MTN8 advantage
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)
Rugby
Podcasts & Videos
The Club House
Win
–>
Home
Psl
MTN8
Hotto stunner hands Pirates MTN8 advantage
Aug 22, 2026 – 01:58 pm
By Kickoff writer
Orlando Pirates secured a 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the first-leg of the MTN8 semi-finals at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Teams: Sekhukhune United v Orlando PiratesResult: 0-1Scorers: Hotto (44′)
The defending champions had their tails up following a strong start to the season after last Sunday’s victory over Chippa United, while Babina Noko exuded the same confidence into the campaign under the incumbent Cedric Kaze.
Pirates almost had the ideal start in the opening minute when a high-press by Yanela Mbuthuma forced a turnover of possession to Simphiwe Masilela, who fired wide with the goal at his mercy.
Babina Noko remained under pressure early on and were opened up again when a precised delivery by Thapelo Mokobodi picked out captain Nkosinathi Sibisi to go in on the head, but the resultant effort missed target.
The Buccaneers didn’t let up and took the lead two minutes to the break after Deon Hotto came in on the left to play a quick one-two with Ghampani Lungu to glide in the box before firing into the top corner.
Kamogelo Sebelebele almost doubled their lead seconds to the interval with a low shot from a tight angle after a darting run from the right but it was smothered up by Melusi Buthelezi.
Pirates decided to reshuffle their stall after the break despite having the lead as Cemran Dansin stepped in for Masilela, while Thabo Nkwana came on for Bradley Mojela on the side of Babina Noko.
The reigning champions continued to have the lion share of chances and nearly found a second goal when a snap shot in the area by Oswin Appollis flew across the face of goal following a delivery by Hotto.
Babina Noko sustained the waves of pressure applied by the tournament holders and got their first attempt on goal when Nkwana ran in on the far side and worked Sipho Chaine to a save with a snap shot.
Pirates made more changes in the midway mark of the second half in Kabelo Kgositsile, Simphiwe Selepe and gave a long-awaited debut to Norwegian signing Sebastian Pedersen.
Pedersen looked for a dream start to life at the Soweto giants and made a run in-behind to get onto a lay-off from Lungu and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, but he went over the top.
With the match beginning to wind down, the Buccaneers kept their slender lead and picked up a vital first-leg win with the return-leg next Saturday at the Orlando Amstel Arena.