Bucs sail to final

Yanela Mbuthuma finally silenced his fiercest of critics among the Orlando Pirates supporters at the Orlando Amstel Arena yesterday, delivering two crucial assists as the Buccaneers sailed to their fifth consecutive MTN8 final after beating Sekhukhune United 4-0 on aggregate.

It was certainly Mbuthuma’s show in the first 45 minutes of this second leg tie as the former Richards Bay striker fed goalscorers Thapelo Mokobodi and Gamphani Lungu assists that saw Pirates comfortably going to the break leading 2-0.

Bucs right back Kamogelo Sebelebele completed the rout when he scored in the third minute of added time after linking up with substitute Tshepang Moremi.

Mbuthuma has been under pressure from some of the Bucs fans who don’t appreciate his hard work upfront, which includes setting up his team to attack with pace, especially after winning loose balls when the opponents attack. Mokobodi and Lungu’s goals came as Pirates were deep in their own half trying to defend against Sekhukhune, who were eager to find a goal after going 1-0 down in the first leg in Limpopo last week.

These goals came on the back of Pirates having missed a couple of sitters in the early stages in which Mbuthuma, Lungu, Oswin Appollis and Simphiwe Selepe came close to beating keeper Toaster Nsabata with their attempts.

But there was no denying Pirates when Mbuthuma crossed for midfielder Mokobodi to score his first goal since joining Pirates before the start of this campaign.