AmaZulu’s long wait to beat Orlando Pirates in a league match in 14 years at their backyard continued to elude them as they drew with the Soweto giants at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.
It was a disappointing outcome as the crowd of over 11,000 came out for a midweek match, but their money and sacrifice was not rewarded with a goal.
To be fair though, it was a game that promised so much based on the galloping pace both sides provided, but yielded little in terms of scoring chances.
Usuthu came to this game having knocked Pirates’ bitter rivals, Kaizer Chiefs out of the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16 over the weekend, while the Buccaneers bypassed Cape Town Spurs.
Pirates were back at the venue they won the MTN8 title earlier this month when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties, but this draw kept their unblemished record as they are unbeaten at the 2010 World Cup venue since coach Jose Riveiro took over.
As much as it was a share of spoils, history was made as it was the first time two Spanish coaches – AmaZulu’s Pablo Franco Martin and Jose Riveiro – were meeting on the opposite side in the PSL.
But the game, as fast as it was, the final product left a lot to be desired.
Of course Pirates grabbed the initiative, but that was that as nothing they had to show for their dominance.
It proved to be a nightmare day for Martin in terms of injuries, as he was forced to make two defensive changes when Taariq Fielies was taken off in the 22nd minute and his replacement Veluyeke Zulu also did not last long and came off in the 41st minute to be replaced by Thembela Sikhakhane.
Evidence Makgopa was presented with the best chance of the game in the 76th minute for Pirates when Karim Kimvuidi set him up, but headed wide unmarked. That was his last action as Riveiro removed him and replaced him with Zakhele Lepasa.
On the other hand, Junior Dion was largely anonymous for Usuthu up top with a lack of service, and had to be replaced without having had sight of goal.
AmaZulu last defeated Pirates in Durban was in 2009 at Chatsworth Stadium, when Bradley Ritson’s goal was cancelled out by Katlego Mashego before Ayanda Dlamini scored the winner later on in the game.
Pirates, expected to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title but consistency keeps on being the issue, this result doesn’t help them as they moved one step up to 13th in the DStv Premiership with eight points from six matches – a massive 16 behind Sundowns with two game in hand. Usuthu are 10th with three points buffer, having played nine matches.
