Oh, so close!

IN easily the most exciting football match ever seen in Zululand, the mighty Orlando Pirates narrowly repelled a Thanda Royal Zulu crew after extra time and penalties in a pulsating Nedbank Cup game at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Saturday.

The Buccaneers looked all at sea as the Amabhubesi raced into the lead with the echo of the kick-off whistle still in the air.

Three swift precision passes, a cross from the right and Andile Fikizola was on hand to sweep the ball past Senzo Meyiwa (1-0).

Clearly not overawed by the reputation of the PSL visitors, Thanda continued to dominate, with Boy Gumede shooting high after being put through in the 14th minute and the woodwork coming to Pirates’ rescue two minutes later.

Then, with what will be the best goal he will ever score in his career, Fikizolo controlled a clearance and hit a half-volley from 30 metes out that required net repairs to be done – surely a candidate for goal of the year (2-0).

While the attacking spirit of the home boys was awesome, so too was the solid, organised line of defence, with Junior Sekete, Ace Bhengu and Matshepe Komane clinging to their opponents like barnacles.

There was simply no way through for the sea robbers, who could not have been relishing walking down the gangplank for Erik Tinkler’s half time ear bashing.

Whatever he said, it turned the tide, with the second stanza more in keeping with the sides’ respective credentials.

Shiver me timbers!

Thanda did have two good chances early on in the half, but Mhlengi Cele just failed to pull the trigger in time and Boy Gumede fired weakly after being put through brilliantly by Sanele Khanyile.

Pirates were, however, working up a head of steam and Thanda were forced on the retreat.

This is where their game slowly fell apart.

Having shown great ability to pass their way out of trouble and onto attack, they now resorted to ugly football, intent of holding onto the lead by blasting every ball upfield or over the sidelines.

With the 90 minutes expired, it looked like they had done it, but they paid the price of inviting the game into their own box when Ayanda Gcaba headed home in the first minute of time added on (2-1).

This was an especially bitter blow for Thanda fans, as Gcaba should have been off the park after earlier lashing out viciously with a kick that saw just a yellow card produced.

What would have been a safety goal by Cele for Thanda was then denied by Meyiwa and Pirates bounced back to score the equaliser after a blunder in the Thanda sticks by Siya Mngoma, who flapped at a cross and missed.

Helder Pelembe did not, and thankfully tapped the ball home to make it 2-2 in the 93rd minute.

And so to an extra 15 minutes each way, dominated by Pirates with sub Kermit Erasmus drilling the ball in after some tired defending (2-3).

Courageous Thanda had given it their best shot and were not yet done as Mhlengi Cele evened matters in the final breath of extra time to take it to a penalty shootout (3-3).

Suffice to say that Pirates made sure of theirs and Thanda did not (4-6).

Beaten but certainly not disgraced, Amabhubesi can stand proud having earned the respect of their fans, the opposition and the SA soccer public.

See video of penalty shoot-out here : https://youtu.be/kF5wPd_3uyk