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Noel Munzabwa in Nelspruit, South Africa
Orlando Pirates 1-1 Matsapha United (Pirates win 8-7 after a penalty shootout)

FORMER Warriors’ assistant coach Saul Chaminuka was hurting on Sunday after his MTN Premier League of Swaziland outfit Matsapha United fell on penalties to South African giants Orlando Pirates in the Mpumalanga Transversal Cup at KaNyamazane Stadium outside Nelspruit.

Matsapha were three minutes away from a sensational victory when Grant Alroy Peters levelled for the Buccaneers to force the game into a shootout.

Pirates broke the Swazi outfit’s hearts with an 8-7 win.

Mthobisi Mdluli had put the Swazi outfit on course for a famous win in the 65th minute in just the second meeting between the two sides inside a month.

In the first practice match played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, the Buccaneers thumped Matsapha 6-1.

Peters dampened the euphoria building up on the Matsapha bench with an 87th minute leveller.

In the semi-finals, Matsapha had dismissed Nelspruit-based National First Division outfit Mbombela United 2-0, with Mdluli and South Africa-born Vusumuzi Zungu grabbing the goals.

Pirates dismissed Costa Do Sol from Mozambique 5-4 after penalty shootout. Chaminuka paid tribute to his lads despite the final heartbreak.

“We came into this tournament as underdogs. As a young team, no one gave us a chance, but going this far deserves credit and is a great sign that our pre-season preparations are on course,” said Chaminuka.

The annual tournament, which is now in its second year, was part of the Nelson Mandela commemorations and tourism promotion. Jomo Cosmos won the inaugural tournament after beating Pretoria University 2-1 at the same venue in August last year.

@NoelMunzabwa