Orlando Pirates had to settle for a 1-1 draw against AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership at a cold Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban.
Tshepang Moremi scored for Abdeslam Ouaddou’s troops while Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya netted from the spot for AmaZulu.
The Buccaneers made two changes from their previous match, with Sihle Nduli and Ghampani Lungu coming in for Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis. The home side also made two changes, bringing Sandile Mthethwa and Siyanda Hlangabeza into the starting XI in place of Keegan Allan and Gape Moralo.
Ezimnyama Ngenkani took an early lead through Tshepang Moremi, who reacted quickest to fire home after the goalkeeper had saved Yanela Mbuthuma’s close-range effort.
Usuthu struggled to make meaningful progress in attack, resulting in very few goal-scoring opportunities. In the 21st minute, Mbuthuma came close to doubling his side’s lead, but the home defence blocked his effort from the edge of the box.
Moments later, Arthur Zwane’s charges began to pose a threat in the Pirates’ half when going forward, although they still struggled to break down the Buccaneers’ defence. A few minutes later, AmaZulu thought they had found the equaliser, but the linesman’s flag ruled out Mlondi Mbanjwa’s effort for offside.
AmaZulu were handed a late opportunity to get back into the game when Kamogelo Sebelebele fouled Mbanjwa in the box on the stroke of half-time. Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya made no mistake from the spot, sending the sides into the break level.
The home side returned from the break with renewed confidence, looking to maintain the pressure on the visitors while searching for more goals. The opening stages of the second half remained evenly contested.
As the match progressed, Pirates began to pose the greater threat after making a few changes, including the introduction of key player Oswin Appollis. In the 69th minute, AmaZulu came close to taking the lead when a well-worked attacking move fell to Ngwenya, but he narrowly missed the target.
Mbuthuma then had a golden opportunity to put his side back in front, only to see his close-range effort crash against the post. The Usuthu defence reacted quickly to clear the danger. With neither of the two sides finding the back of the net, spoils were shared.