Orlando Pirates accused of some unsportsmanlike: What happened! | OneFootball

The Orlando Pirates are accused of illegally reaching the Carling Knockout final.

Orlando Pirates accused of some unsportsmanlike: What happened!

The dream of a second trophy in just five months under the guidance of Abdeslam Ouaddou remains tantalizingly alive for Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers navigated a tense and gritty semi-final battle this past weekend, edging out a determined Richards Bay with a narrow 1-0 victory to secure their ticket to the Carling Knockout Cup final.

In a match far removed from a straightforward affair, the only goal that would break the deadlock came from Tshepang Moremi in the first half. Yet, that solitary strike was merely the beginning of a protracted war of attrition. Played out in a cauldron of noise at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium, the game evolved into a severe test of resilience for the Pirates.

According to Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel, his team’s performance pushed the Buccaneers to a place of extreme discomfort. He painted a picture of a Pirates side cornered and forced to abandon their usual flair for what he described as "dark" survival tactics.

“I mean, when last did you see Orlando Pirates time-wasting, employing delaying tactics, their goalkeeper getting a yellow card for stalling?” Gabriel questioned in the aftermath, suggesting that these were not the actions of a team in control, but of one feeling immense pressure.

He believed the evidence was clear: for the majority of the second half, his squad had hounded the prestigious Buccaneers, forcing them into a defensive, time-burning shell a "dark hole," as he put it. While ultimately disappointed with the result, Gabriel took away a "commendable effort" from his players, a performance they hope to channel into their league campaign.

For Orlando Pirates, however, the path to glory is often not paved with beauty alone. This was a victory carved out through grit, a testament to their ability to win even when not at their dazzling best, and a hard-fought step closer to another piece of silverware.