Pirates held by AmaZulu in Durban

Kamogela Sebelebele © Gallo Images

Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu FC at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Wednesday evening.

The result saw the Buccaneers placed second on the log with four points – two adrift of leaders Kaizer Chiefs, who defeated Sekhukhune United – while AmaZulu are fourth, level on four points with their opponents.

Pirates claimed the lead as early as the seventh minute, with former AmaZulu player Tshepang Moremi finding the back of the net with a scuffed shot.

The winger capitalised on a loose ball after goalkeeper Wilfried Kouassi had palmed Yanela Mbuthuma’s effort back into the danger area.

Midway through the first half Pirates almost doubled their advantage, with a defensive error teeing up Mbuthuma to shoot on target, but Riaan Hanamub made a superb recovery to clear from his own goal mouth.

On the half-hour mark the Soweto giants missed another great chance, with Patrick Maswanganyi playing a great pass to put Ghampani Lungu in on goal, but the attacker dragged his shot just wide of the far post.

Pirates’ wastefulness was punished in injury time when Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya confidently dispatched a penalty to make it 1-1 heading into the interval. The spot kick was won by Mondli Mbanjwa, who drew a clumsy foul from Kamogelo Sebelebele.

The Buccaneers dominated possession in the early stages of the second half, but were unable to carve out further chances, with the pace and crispness of their play dropping off.

They responded by making a triple change just past the hour mark, as Oswin Appollis, Kabelo Kgosietsile and Deon Hotto were introduced from the bench.

Yet the next big chance went the way of Usuthu, with Ngwenya shooting wide on a rare counter attack with just under 20 minutes to play.

Pirates were inches away from reclaiming the lead in the 72nd minute, as a high press forced a turnover and Maswanganyi teed up Mbuthuma, but the striker’s effort was deflected onto the crossbar by Kouassi.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the dying stages, but ultimately the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

The teams will return to Premiership action this coming weekend, with AmaZulu at home to Siwelele FC on Saturday 15 August, and Pirates away to Chippa United the following day.

AmaZulu FC (1) 1 (Ngwenya 45+3’ pen)

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Moremi 7’)

AMAZULU: Kouassi, Mthethwa, Fielies, Hanamub, Mdaka, Radebe, Zikhali (Mhlongo 60’), Hlangabeza, Mbanjwa (Sithole 86’), Maqokola (Mashigo 86’), Ngwenya (Mokoena 73’)

PIRATES: Chaine, Sebelebele (Kgosietsile 63’), Seema, Sibisi, Ndaba (Hotto 63’), Dansin, Nduli (Mokobodi 55’), Lungu, Maswanganyi, Moremi (Appollis 64’), Mbuthuma (Radiopane 77’)

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