Orlando Pirates defeated AmaZulu 4-2 in a rollercoaster Nedbank Cup quarter-final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
AmaZulu held the lead until the end of the match, but a controversial penalty wiped out their advantage.
Orlando Pirates break through dramatic draw in Nedbank Cup
Orlando Pirates took the lead midway through the second half, but AmaZulu fought back and tied the score.
Pirates were rather slow in regaining the lead, but scored a goal in stoppage time, giving them a cushion they had not had at any point in regulation time.
Sea Robbers replaced the suspended Thapelo Shoki with Innocent Maela, with Tshegofatso Mabasa leading the line, accompanied by Lelebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Kabelo Dlamini.
Orlando Pirates had two good chances in the opening three minutes, both of which were scored by Mabasa, but the first shot was cleared on the line by Ramalwe Mphahlele, and the second goal came in a one-on-one situation. Goalkeeper Veli Moswa made the save. .
Usuthu, on the other hand, absorbed the burden for much of the opening half and never posed a threat going forward.
Until the 30th minute, when Hendrik Eckstein broke through and scored from the edge of the box to break the deadlock for the hosts. Hot Clear Cost Pirate Failure. The ball fell perfectly to Eckstein, who rocketed it into the net.
Latter half
Pirates started the second half well, but ultimately needed a set piece to take the lead. In a move that worked well, Kabelo Dlamini fired a left-footed shot past Moswa.
However, the Soweto Giants' advantage briefly held as the Phillies leveled the score for Pablo Franco Martin's side with a close-range header from Abubaker Mobala's free-kick cross.
In an end-to-end attack, Eckstein was unlucky to have a shot that hit the crossbar with 18 minutes remaining, preventing Usuthu from making it 3-2.
Ribeiro's side put AmaZulu under pressure and took the lead eight minutes before the end with Machelen Makaula scoring a rebound inside the box.
Maswangany got the game going for Pirates in extra time, scoring to make it 4-2 and finishing off his two-goal tally with a fine shot inside the box after being set up by Mabasa.
AmaZulu have only won four of their previous 44 meetings with Orlando Pirates, ultimately failing to maintain their composure under pressure.
Pirates continue their defense of the Nedbank Cup and Ribeiro's impressive cup record.