Orlando Pirates played to a 1-1 draw against Moroka Swallows in the Soweto Derby at Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday night.
Pirates came into the match on the back of a 2-1 loss to Sekhukhune United in Polokwane over the weekend. They now train log leaders in Mamelodi Sundowns by 15 points with eight matches remaining.
THE DUBE BIRDS HOLD ORLANDO PIRATES TO A DRAW IN THE SOWETO DERBY
Swallows nearly capitalised on a blunder by Sipho Chaine as early as the first minute. But the Pirates’ number one got away with a mistake for his miscued pass which found a Swallows striker Letsie Koapeng but the shot went over the bar.
The visitors also had their share of chances earlier in the half. Tshegofatso Mabasa nearly got one against his former team in the 21st minute but his header missed the target.
Goalkeeper Chaine made another terrible blunder at the back when he failed to clear the ball from another backpass. This time the 27-year-old didn’t get away with it and was punished by Lindokuhle Mtshali to take the lead for the home side.
A few minutes later Koapeng came close to doubling the score but his shot found Chaine well-positioned.
Mabasa came close to finding an equaliser for Pirates with five minutes before the break. His header missed from the near post.
THE BUCCANEERS FIGHT BACK TO SECURE A DRAW AGAINST A STUBBORN MOROKA SWALLOWS SIDE
Pirates came back from the break a different side and immediately dominated play.
Attacking midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi subsequently found an equaliser with a close-range shot inside the box after a telling cross from Thabiso Lebitso. Thalente Mbatha thought he had scored a second for his side with a cross from Deon Hotto. But his strike was ruled offside.
Mofokeng missed a glorious opportunity to grab a lead for Pirates but his head went over the bar with 15 minutes remaining.
Pirates finished with 10-men after defender Nkosinathi Sibisi was given a straight red card for abusive language.
In other DStv Premiership results on Wednesday, Golden Arrows played to a 2-2 draw against SuperSport United.
TS Galaxy beat Royal AM 3-0 and Chippa United won 2-0 against Cape Town Spurs.
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