Orlando Pirates take a small but significant advantage to the decisive second leg of the MTN8 semifinal against Sekhukhune United at their fortress Orlando Stadium on Saturday. The defending champions prevailed 1-0 in this match where Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou finally unleashed the much-talked about striker Sebastien ‘Baby Haaland’ Pedersen. In the 25 minutes he was on the pitch, Pedersen did not have many clear-cut chances but looked promising in the air, had some touches on the ground and moved well off the ball. His most notable opportunity was in the 80th minute when a mistake by Daniel Cardoso allowed him to take aim at Sekhukhune goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi but his left-footed effort went off target. When Pedersen arrived, Pirates were already in the lead through a beautifully worked goal by defender Deon Hotto on the stroke of half time at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.In what turned out to be a lukewarm football match, Pirates were the dominant side and Ouaddou would feel they should have left Polokwane with more than the one goal they got.Sekhukhune were not out classed but Cedric Kaze is going to demand more from his players, especially at Orlando Stadium where Pirates have proved to be hard to beat over the past few seasons.It is not the last time they have heard from each other as they meet on Tuesday in the Betway Premiership in Soweto and for the third time in quick succession next weekend in the second round of this tournament to wrap up this trilogy. Ouaddou started the match with an interesting line-up as he gave rare starts to Thapelo Mokobodi, Mthetheli Mthiyane, Gamphani Lungu and Simphiwe Masilela.Players like Thalente Mbatha, Sihle Nduli, Evidence Makgopa are out with an assortment of injuries but the notable absentee was playmaker Patrick Maswanganyi.What was not a surprise in the Pirates starting line-up was the inclusion of striker Yanela Mbuthuma, who Ouaddou continues to back despite struggles in front of goal.Mbuthuma once again led the attack once again and he made it five matches in succession without a goal in all competitions this season and the wait for his first goal of the season continues.He was replaced by Pedersen after 65 minutes and at the same time Kabelo Kgositsile took the place of Oswin Appollis as Ouaddou refreshed his attacking options in search of the second goal.Kaze started the match with former Pirates goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi in a team that boasted the experience of Cardoso, Nyiko Mobbie, Siphesihle Mkhize, Lehlohonolo Mojela and Bright Ndlovu.They competed in the match but they did not trouble Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine and his defence that was marshalled by Nkosinathi Sibisi and Lebone Seema.Pirates took the lead after 44 minutes when Hotto who riffled a thunderous shot past Buthelezi to hit the roof of the net despite pressure from Sekhukhune defender Mobbie.The opener was a good attacking move that ended with Lungu using creativity by laying the ball on the path of Hotto with a cheeky back heel to give them the lead.There was not enough time for Sekhukhune to respond as the whistle blew for the half time break and this meant they had a lot of work to do in the second half.With little clear-cut chances, it was always going to be difficult for Sekhukhune to get the equaliser and attackers Tshepo Mokoena, Ndlovu and Tsepo Matsimbi will have to be at their best at the weekend.To change the dynamics of this two-legged affair, Sekhukhune will have to score at Orlando Stadium against this Pirates side that is aiming for a fifth successive MTN8 title.