No Goals In Orlando

15 January 2011

Absa Premiership

Venue: Orlando Stadium

Date: 15 January 2011

Result: Pirates 0-0 Santos

Referee: Victor Hlungwane

Santos held Pirates to a goalless draw in tonight's Premiership match-up at the Orlando Stadium. Pirates will be disappointed not to have found the net despite gaining the lion's share of possession.

The game began promisingly for Santos when key frontman Salmaan King (formerly Greg; changed his name since converting to Islam) streaked through the centre of the pitch like a scalded cheetah. Unfortunately his finishing did not match his pace and he cracked his shot wide of the mark. The industrious Tlou Segolela could have scored at the other end when he showed great confidence in taking a first time shot that went just wide of Tshepo Motsoeneng's goal.

The game slowed soon after, with the swirling winds and the forecast of torrential rain threatening to put a dampener on proceedings.

In the 16th minute, Santos dead-ball specialist Erwin Isaacs' freekick took a wicked deflection and an alert Moeneeb Josephs just managed to tip the ball over the crossbar. Andile Jali had thundered into a prone Tyren Arendse and referee Victor Hlungwane was having a difficult time reining in the play.

Pirates were soon dominating the midfield, but for all their dominance, could not find a finish to match. In the 22nd minute, Botswana winger Phenyo Mogala fired in a fierce low shot after his captain Lucky Legwathi smashed a wild drive into the area. Legwathi was again found wanting five minutes later, when his freekick caused spectators in the stands more concern than Motsoeneng.

Bucs did not have their striking boots on and were reduced firing in hopeful shots from distance, growing more frustrated with each passing minute. Clifford Ngobeni took the best shot of the lot in the 34th minute but this too, was off target.

Isaac Chansa should have put Pirates ahead late in the half but the midfielder looked distinctly rusty on his return to first team action, and his run was smothered by Motsoeneng when he looked certain to score.

As anticipated, Ruud Krol threw on Mark Mayambela for Mongala at the start of the second period and when Chansa forced Motsoeneng to make a save early on, it looked like the tide had turned for Pirates. After Santos' Vuyisile Wana had cheekily tried to beat Josephs at his near post, it was one-way traffic.

Mayambela skied a free kick from the edge of the area after a cynical challenge by Tyren Arendse in the 60th minute. A dangerous Segolela corner was wafted away unconvincingly by Motsoeneng minutes later, but the loose ball failed to find a Pirates jersey.

Bucs had their best chance of the match in the 79th minute, when a tame Patrick Malokase free kick skidded on through the wall and Motsoeneng failed to deal with it. The stricken keeper just managed to hoof the ball away before a trio of Pirates forwards got there.

Santos looked content with parking the bus and relying on the occasional counter. Hardly unexpected; Santos have more draws than any other team in the league.

Mayambela was certain he had a penalty after it looked like he was hacked down in the area but the referee found King's challenge to be a clean one.

In the 83th minute, Segolela pulled back an inviting cross into the area but Mayambela could not keep his shot down. The story of the night for Pirates.

The People's Team tried to burgle a win when Josephs was harshly judged to have received a back pass but Isaacs shot high in the 85th minute. It was then left to the wily keeper Motsoeneng to fist keep Pirates at bay with a fine save and then eat up injury time with some fine dramatics after an innocuous challenge.

The single point will do neither team's Premiership pretensions much good, but it is the home side who will rue their lack of composure in front of goal.

Orlando Pirates: Moeneeb Josephs, Lucky Lekgwathi, Rooi Mahamutsa, Happy Jele, Tlou Segolela, Ruben Cloete, Isaac Chansa, Clifford Ngobeni, Andile Jali, Chiukepo Msowoya (Patrick Malokase 58'), Phenyo Mongala (Mark Mayambela 46')

Santos: Tshepo Motsoeneng, Zairon Van Beulen (Shafeeq Arendse '68), Wayne Arendse, Thabiso Ntloana, Musa Otieno, Vuyisile Wana (Boitumelo Mafoko '78), Salmaan King, Erwin Isaacs, Peter Mponda, Tyren Arendse, Orlin Powell (Jurie Basie '55)

To view the latest league standings, click here.