Despite their minor setback this past weekend, Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha is not throwing in the towel just yet as the Betway Premiership title race draws close to an end.
The Buccaneers were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Richards Bay at uMhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday night as Mamelodi Sundowns kept their top standing advantage with a one-point lead and a game to spare.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s charges twice had to come from behind to salvage a point. The Natal Rich Boyz were first to get on the scoresheet with Thulani Gumede unleashing a thunderous shot from outside the box just 10 minutes in. His second against Soweto opposition after netting the winner against Kaizer Chiefs a few weeks ago.
Pirates went into the half-time breaking trailing 1-0, but levelled matters through Oswin Appollis in the 52nd minute, only for Bay to regain their lead seven minutes later.
With the jaws of defeat facing the Orlando Amstel Arena outfit, Lebone Seema stepped up with a 90th minute equaliser for a share of the spoils.
Mbatha admitted how disappointed they were on the outcome but maintained that they are pretty much still in the hunt for the league crown.
“For us, I believe that we’re still in the race,” he said on OP TV.
“And, we have to continue playing our game coz we have to take it one game at a time.
“We are running our own race, and I believe that is something we must continue doing.”
Pirates are next eSogini against AmaZulu on Saturday, 18 April.
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