SHARE
Orlando Pirates slumped to a frustrating 1-1 draw in their Betway Premiership clash against Siwelele at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
It was a disappointing outcome for the Buccaneers, who were left to rue missed chances as crucial points slipped away in the end. They remain top of the standings, with only a single point separating them from second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns with nine games still left to play.
The home side had the opportunity to strengthen their position at the summit heading into the fixture, and looked to make the most of it as soon as they kicked into gear. They conjured up a number of chances at goal, but were not able to make the most of their early dominance.
Controlling the game’s tempo for much of the opening exchanges, the Buccaneers tested the Siwelele goal through Oswin Appollis in the ninth minute but goalkeeper Ricardo Goss was equal to the task as he kept out the long-range attempt.
The man between the sticks was again the difference moments later as he dealt with a clever flick from striker Yanela Mbuthuma, who looked to turn Kamogelo Sebelebele’s cross in from point-blank range. It remained one-way traffic throughout the first quarter, with Sebelebele and Lebone Seema also denied by Goss in a frustrating period for the hosts.
Siwelele on the other hand did not need too many chances to alter the scorecard, and they did so in the 29th minute when ex-Bucs midfielder Vincent Pule benefitted from a turnover inside the Pirates half before driving a shot low past the diving Sipho Chaine to make it 1-0.
The strike against the run of play sent the hosts into a desperate search for the equaliser with Mbuthuma and Mbatha drawing saves from Goss, while Relebohile Mofokeng and Appollis both went wide with their attempts at goal.
This summed up a frustrating period for the Buccaneers who looked to put the disappointment of the previous 45 minutes behind them when they re-emerged from the tunnel, and only had to wait another seven minutes before getting on the scoreboard.
The decisive blow was landed by Tshepang Moremi who ran into an excellent through ball from Mbatha and only needed a single touch to breach Goss’ defences.
The equaliser could have been immediately followed by the home side’s second when Mofokeng sliced into the penalty area before forcing the Siwelele keeper into yet another save.
Pirates made changes near the hour mark, introducing Deon Hotto and Evidence Makgopa, with the latter presented with a golden opportunity to edge his side ahead only to scuff his shot when played into space following a quick counter. There was a chance for Moremi to complete a brace inside the final 20 minutes when he went head-to-head with Goss once more, but the shot-stopper came out on top this time around.
The momentum remained with the home side as the final whistle approached, and Mofokeng’s attempt at providing a late winner was foiled when his header from a Patrick Maswanganyi cross resulted in a comfortable save for Goss.
This capped a forgettable afternoon for Pirates, who have another eight days to regroup and turn their attention to their next league assignment.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Sibisi, Sebelebele, Ndaba (Hotto 59’), Makhaula (Mbule 71’), Mbatha, Mofokeng, Appollis (Maswanganyi 83’), Moremi, Mbuthuma (Makgopa 59’).
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.