Orlando Pirates have dropped two crucial points in the race for next season’s CAF Champions League following their draw against Sekhukhune United.
The Soweto giants were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday 13 May by Babina Noko at Orlando Stadium.
Following the stalemate, Orlando Pirates are still second on the DStv Premiership log table. They are par with third-placed SuperSport United with 51 points respectively with a game left to end the season.
On the other hand, the Polokwane outfit, Sekhukhune are seventh with 37 points as they continue their pursuit of finishing in the top eight.
THE MONNAPULE SALENG THREAT
The hosts were piling on the pressure on the visitors in search of an early goal. Bucs almost opened the scoring as early as two minutes through Monnapule Saleng. However, his curl strike went wide at goal.
Saleng was a nighmare in Sekhukhune’s half on the right side of the field dribbling the defenders. He was brought down just outside the box to stop a goal threat.
At the back, Pirates centre-backs Tapelo Xoki and Sandile Mthwethwa were solid. Babina Noko’s first opportunity at goall came in the 12th minute from a corner kick. Given Mashikinya’s header didn’t trouble Sipho Chaine as it went wide.
20 minutes into the match, Saleng tried to play in Makhehlene Makhaula on the edge of the box, but his pass was intercepted by the defenders who were in numbers in the the 18-area.
Tresor Yamba had a golden opportunity in the 22nd minutes to break the deadlock but the ball went over. Two minutes later Thabang Monare couldn’t direct his header that could have led to a goal.
Kabelo Dlamini was the next to try his luck moments later, but lacked composure to find the back of the net.
GOALS GALORE FIRST HALF
In-form Terrence Dzvukamanja finally opened the scoring on the hour mark with a header from close range. The Zimbabwe international has now scored seven goals in the league.
Former Pirates man Edwin Gyimah silenced the crowd in the 38th minutes as he scored an equalizer.
The scoreline remained unchanged for the remainder of the half. the teams went on the break levelled at 1-1.
Saleng had a chance to restore the lead at the beginning of the second half, however he couldn’s connect with Dlamini’s cross.
In the 76th minute, Dzvukamanja almost netted his second goal of the match. He was unlucky as his effort hit the post.
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