Orlando Pirates dropped two valuable points following their 0-0 draw with Stellenbosch FC in a Betway Premiership encounter at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday night.
With the draw, Pirates are now 18 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat AmaZulu FC 2-0 on the same night.
Below are some of the talking points from this showpiece.
NKOSINATHI SIBISI RETURNS FROM SUSPENSION FOR ORLANDO PIRATES
Pirates received a boost in their defensive options heading into this match. The club welcomed back the Bafana Bafana international Nkosinathi Sibisi.
The seasoned defender, Sibisi, returned from a one-match suspension. He was included in the starting line-up for the match against the Cape Winelands team and captained the Soweto giants.
STELLENBOSCH FC MISSING TWO KEY PLAYERS FOR THE ORLANDO PIRATES GAME
Stellenbosch came into this contest without two of their key players, goalkeeper Sage Stephens and defender Ismael Toure.
The two players were forced to sit out the match due to suspension. They each received their fourth yellow card in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal loss to Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend, resulting in an automatic one-match ban.
BRIAN ONYANGO SENT OFF BEFORE HALFTIME
Defender Brian Onyango was sent off to take an early shower after receiving a red card in the 34th minute of the showdown for a foul on Tshegofatso Mabasa. Stellenbosch had to play 56 minutes of the match with one man down.
Onyango recently received a national call-up for Kenya. He made the cut to Benni McCarthy’s first squad selection as the head coach of the Harambee Stars.
STELLENBOSCH FC AND ORLANDO PIRATES NOT CLINICAL IN FRONT OF GOAL
The two teams were not clinical in front of goal as they found it difficult to break each other’s back four. The visitors looked to be the better side in terms of attacking, as they threatened the hosts more often.
Steve Barker’s troops tried their level best to use their home ground advantage and take control of the encounter, however, it was never meant to be.</p>
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