Orlando Pirates’ ruthlessness in their bid to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns as Betway Premiership champions was handed a stubborn check in the 2-2 draw with Richards Bay FC at Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday evening.
A resilient Richards Bay nearly turned the Soweto giants’ KZN trip into a nightmare, leaving the Buccaneers to count themselves fortunate to escape with a point following a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser. However, the result serves as a massive boost for Sundowns.
By failing to leapfrog the Brazilians, Pirates remain stuck in second gear, handing the defending champions a golden opportunity to tighten their grip on the summit.
Sundowns enjoy a point lead, which they could extend, having played a game less than their bitter rivals. Coming off the back of a two-match winning streak where they netted 11 unanswered goals, Pirates appeared uncharacteristically vulnerable against their resilient hosts on Friday.
The Soweto giants’ rampaging mode might have forced Richards Bay co-coaches Papi Zothwane and Ronnie Gabriel to make a change to the line-up that upset Stellenbosch FC 2-1 in midweek. Lwandile Mabuya stepped in for Sbani Khumalo at right-back as the only tweak.
But for Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, it was a matter of, ‘why fix it when it’s not broken?’ The Moroccan retained the team that started in the 5-0 drubbing of Golden Arrows on Tuesday.
It was an evening the Buccaneers enjoyed better chances in the first half, especially in the early stages. But it was difficult to translate them into goals. Kamogelo Sebelebele came close while Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno made a crucial save to deny Thalente Mbatha.
The Kenyan international shot-stopper then faced Yanela Mbuthuma’s headed effort. He then survived when he spilt Deon Hotto’s deceiving corner kick that was goal-bound. One of his defenders cleared the danger. But the Buccaneers found themselves trailing after 10 minutes when Thulani Gumede beat Sipho Chaine with a beautifully struck goal from range.
RICHARDS BAY THREATENED TO UPSET PIRATES WITH FIRST-HALF LEAD
A narrow 1–0 lead going into the halftime break gave the hosts the tone they needed, even after Pirates struck back. Oswin Appollis equalised for Ouaddou’s side seven minutes into the second stanza. He shot at close range to beat a stubborn Otieno, while capitalising on some poor marking by the opponents.
As Pirates came back into contention and plotted to take the lead, the Natal Rich Boyz reclaimed the advantage when Lindokuhle Zikhali fired a grounder that beat Chaine from outside the box.
The Buccaneers thought they had equalised at the death. But the referee adjudged that Andre de Jong had pushed Otieno as Hotto finished off an attack. Shortly after, in stoppage time, Lebone Seema unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box. The strike beat Otieno and registered a Pirates equaliser for a share of the spoils.
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