Orlando Pirates fought back from a goal down to salvage a point in their Betway Premiership encounter which finished with a 1-1 scoreline at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Saturday’s result saw the Soweto Giants hit 60 points in the league ahead of their season finale at home to Magesi in midweek. Their opponents meanwhile concluded their campaign with a point that sealed their spot in the top half of the table.
Pirates’ dominant start on the day was only reflected through ball-possession stats as the home side looked the more likely to find an early breakthrough, despite feeding off scraps. AmaZulu had three goal attempts in the opening quarter, with the best of the lot produced through a set piece delivered towards striker Etiosa Ighodaro who rattled the crossbar with a header from close range.
There were two quick chances at the other end where neither one of Deon Hotto and Mohau Nkota managed to trouble Usuthu shot-stopper Richard Ofori. The Namibian had another dig at the ex-Bucs glove man later on, but it was with a tame shot from a fair way out which bounced straight into the Ghanaian’s arms.
The best chance from the Buccaneers came following a set piece in the 44th minute. From the corner, the ball was worked towards Patrick Maswanganyi who teed up Nkota inside the box but the winger managed to direct his effort just wide of the target.
With no breakthrough in the first half, the second kicked off in a subdued manner with nothing to excite the spectators that had turned up. That spell stretched until the half-hour mark with neither defence truly tested since the restart.
A moment of individual brilliance handed the hosts the lead in the 66th minute when Moremi caught the Bucs defence flat-footed on the flank before forcing an unlucky deflection off Maswanganyi, who directed the ball into his own net.
Pirates’ pursuit for the equaliser was interrupted by a few bright moments from Usuthu as they sought to stretch their lead. The visitors did come close to cancelling out the lead when Mofokeng linked up with replacement striker Boitumelo Radiopane, who volleyed just wide in the 76th minute.
The despair of the missed opportunity only lasted for mere seconds, resulting from AmaZulu’s failure to clear their lines following a set piece. The ball landed kindly for Simphiwe Selepe, who beat the outstretched Andile Mbanjwa with first-time shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Chaine had to field a threatening moment from the hosts late in the contest, and managed to ensure that the Bucs defence came out of a nervy finish unscathed. The match finished with action at the other end, where Pirates’ desperate search for a late winner was thwarted by the home side’s defence.
The spoils were shared after the final whistle as the Soweto Giants collected their seventh point in three league matches played in Durban.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Mbokazi (Xoki 21’), Van Rooyen, Hotto, Selepe, Mbatha, Maswanganyi (Kimvuidi 68’), Nkota (Moleleki 82’), Mofokeng, Mabasa (Radiopane 68’).
