Orlando Pirates ended the season with a Betway Premiership point at home after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Magesi on Wednesday night.
A 20th league win of the season eluded the Buccaneers on their return to Orlando Stadium, as they slumped to a second successive league stalemate. They were able to close off what was a gruelling campaign with an impressive 61 points in their 28 games, where they won 19, drew four, and lost just five times.
With 90 more minutes to navigate in the 2024/25 season, the hosts were quick to signal their intent. They had a chance moments after the first whistle when the ball was manoeuvred into the direction of Boitumelo Radiopane who set up Patrick Maswanganyi, with the midfielder firing wide with a first-time shot at goal.
The target did not evade Maswanganyi for much longer, as he got on the end of the hosts’ next real chance. It came following a free kick deep in opposition territory, where some trickery outside the box allowed him to approach the penalty area undetected before slotting home to make it 1-0.
Trailing inside the opening 10 minutes, the visitors took time to grow into the contest and were short of real opportunities in their bid to draw level. Their best chance in the first quarter came through a corner in the 17th minute, but it resulted in a comfortable save for Sipho Chaine who immediately launched a quick counter which nearly brought Pirates’ second as Mohau Nkota forced a save from Elvis Chipezeze from point-blank range.
The home side was unrelenting in their pursuit of their second goal of the evening, pushing forward through Relebohile Mofokeng. The 20-year-old linked up with midfielder Thalente Mbatha, who went just inches off target with a right-footed shot that hit the outside of the upright.
Failure to convert opportunities soon haunted the Buccaneers as Dikwena tša Meetse hit back against the run of play in the 32nd minute. Their equaliser came off the boot of Edmore Chirambadare as he got on the end of a quick counter before placing the ball beyond the reach of an outstretched Chaine.
Pirates looked to restore their lead heading into the break, with the visitors proving resolute in defence. The halftime whistle sounded with the two sides still level before the host emerged out the tunnel determined to push their noses back in front.
Skipper Innocent Maela had their first chance of the second half when he headed wide from a difficult angle following a set piece hit towards the back post. His effort was followed by another one with a similar result as Mohau Nkota latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box before scooping it just above the crossbar.
The Bucs winger continued probing and looked to make full use of the space afforded to him by the Magesi defence when cut in from the right flank before going for goal. He was unable to find the target once more, with the ball floating over the bar once more.
Chipezeze was tested eventually, and he pulled off a stop to deny Maswanganyi in the 64th minute before comfortably keeping out a shot from Tshegofatso Mabasa soon after. He was the difference once more for the visitors as Nkota drew another save from him amid a bright passage of play for the home side.
It remained a frustrating evening for Pirates whose last real chance was produced through the combination of Mabasa and Mofokeng, with the latter not finding the target with his last-gasp attempt.
The scoreline was unchanged despite the Soweto Giants’ clear dominance on the night as they failed to sign the season off with victory.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Shandu, Maela (Madiba 66’), Selepe, Mbatha (Dansin 46’), Maswanganyi (Kimvuidi 83’), Nkota (Moleleki 78’), Mofokeng, Radiopane (Mabasa 66’).
