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Cape Town - Two second half goals from Bradley Grobler and Denwin Farmer ensured SuperSport United reached the MTN8 next season as they drew 2-2 in their final Absa Premiership tie against Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon at Orlando Stadium.
In the wake of the draw, Amatsantsantsa A Pitori finished at number eight in the log table with 40 points and will now participate in the top eight.
On the other hand, Sifiso Myeni's thunderbolt and a penalty from Mpho Makola gave the hosts something to cheer about. They also finished in the top eight.
Although the match was a curtain raiser for the Nedbank Cup final next weekend, it started on a high as Dove Wome and Kingston Nkhatha kept Pirates under pressure as the Togolese international saw his shot saved by Mhlongo, whilst the rebound was off target from the Zimbabwean.
After 10 minutes of action, Thabo Rakhale tried to chip goalkeeper Ronwen Williams for Pirates after a corner was cleared and it fell in the winger's path but his shot missed the target.
With three minutes left in the first half, Thabo Matlaba once again came close to find an opener when he created space for himself but his thunderbolt went inches wide.
It was 0-0 at the interval and Stuart Baxter's men took the game to their hosts and Nkhatha failed to lower his attempt and it went over Mhlongo's cross bar.
A well worked move by Makola in the 50th minute saw Tendai Ndoro wasting a sweet chance to make it 1-0 as his rushed shot flew wide off the target.
Williams was called to action when he denied Rakhale from a well drilled shot, but soon after he failed to save Myeni's stunner into the top corner in the 67th minute: 1-0 to the Sea Robbers.
In the 73rd minute, Baxter made changes and introduced Bradley Grobler, who made an impact four minutes later by converting a cross from Jeremy Brockie.
Amatsantsantsa A Pitori committed a foul through Thuso Phala when he fouled Matlaba in the box and they were penalised. Makola finished, making it 2-1 in the 86th minute.
However, it was not over in the 90th minute when Farmer scored, beating Mhlongo from close range to make it 2-2.
Eric Tinkler's men finished at the seventh spot with 41 points but will now prepare to meet the Tshwane giants in the Ke Yona cup final next weekend at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Orlando Pirates (0) 2 (Myeni 67', Makola 86'')
SuperSport United (0) 2 (Grobler 77', Farmer 90'))
