Orlando Pirates Edge Richards Bay to Reach Carling Knockout Final

Orlando Pirates booked their place in the Carling Knockout Cup final after edging past Richards Bay 1-0 in a hard-fought semifinal clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The result sends the Buccaneers to their first League Cup final since the 2018/19 season, keeping alive hopes of a domestic cup double midway through the campaign. They will now await the winner between Golden Arrows and Marumo Gallants, who meet in the second semifinal on Sunday at the same venue.

Playing in Durban for the second time in a week, Pirates took control early on, forcing the Natal Rich Boys onto the back foot with a flurry of corner kicks and attacking pressure. Despite the early dominance, the hosts’ defence stood firm, repelling several promising moves.

Midfielder Sipho Mbule looked lively from the outset, testing goalkeeper Ian Otieno with a rebound strike after 12 minutes, before nearly setting up Yanela Mbuthuma with a clever lofted pass. Otieno reacted quickly to smother the chance, keeping the scoreline intact.

The same combination threatened again soon after, with Mbule delivering a teasing cross that Mbuthuma steered narrowly wide. Pirates continued to probe but were often restricted to long-range attempts, as Richards Bay’s defensive shape held firm.

Just when it seemed the first half would end goalless, Oswin Appollis produced a moment of brilliance. Three minutes before the break, he launched a perfectly weighted long ball to Tshepang Moremi, who timed his run to perfection before slotting past Otieno to make it 1-0.

The second half began with a burst of intensity as Richards Bay’s Lundi Mhala squandered a golden opportunity, firing wide from close range moments after the restart. Pirates nearly capitalised soon after, but Moremi’s follow-up effort from the edge of the box sailed off target.

Despite a late push from the home side, the Buccaneers held firm to secure victory — and a long-awaited return to the Carling Knockout Cup final.