Result: Stellenbosch 0-0 Orlando Pirates
Date: 11 May 2021
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Orlando Pirates missed the chance to move third on the DStv Premiership table after playing to a goalless draw with Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday afternoon.
Pirates made two changes from the win over Black Leopards, as Paseka Mako and Gabadinho Mhango were both recalled while Stellies handed starts to Junior Mendieta and Stanley Dimgba in the attack.
The hosts should have been ahead after just four minutes when goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands spilled a free-kick into the path of Nathan Sinkala, whose strike hit the post before Ashley Du Preez powered a strike over the bar with the net open.
The Pirates defence really struggled with Stellies' pace in the first half, as Du Preez had a wonderful chance to break the deadlock for Stellies on the half-hour mark after going clear on goal from a through ball over the defence but Abel Mabasa made a great recovery with a vital block from behind.
Four minutes later, Du Preez was presented with a bigger chance after a square pass by Dimgba left him with an open net but the 23-year-old, who only has two league goals to his name, placed his effort wide from point-blank range.
Dimgba had a big chance a minute after the break following a through ball by Mendieta but he looped his strike over the bar while Kabelo Dlamini rattled the crossbar for Pirates two minutes later with a free-kick from outside the box.
Pirates lacked their usual rhythm going forward as Josef Zinnbauer made a triple change in the 62nd minute, as Ben Motshwari came on for Mabaso, Vincent Pule on for Dlamini while Fortune Makaringe replaced Siphesihle Ndlovu.
As the game began to open up, Hotto had a chance to grab the lead for the Buccaneers in the 68th minute with a free header at the back post that missed wide.
Barker made a double change in the last quarter of an hour, as Leletu Skelem came on for Jayden Adams in an attacking move while Ally Msengi replaced Granwald.
Despite both sides eager to get the winner, they could not create clear chances and settled for the share of the spoils, with Pirates stuck in fourth plac¡=e while Stelies also remain in 12th place.
Stellenbosch: 35. Langeveldt, 24. Macheke, 5. Mthethwa, 8. Van Heerden, 7. Van Rooyen, 12. Scott, 10. Mendieta, 19. Sinkala, 9. Du Preeze, 23. Adams, 13. Dimgba
Subs: 17. Stephens, 32. Mbekile, 20. Robertson, 22. Skelem, 4. De Goede, 17. Jabaar, 14. Msengi, 15. Bergman, 3. Brenner.
Pirates: 30. Sandilands, 14. Hlatshwayo, 23. Maela, 17. Jooste, 29. Mako, 44. Mabaso, 8. Ndlovu, 21. Zungu, 18. Dlamini, 11. Hotto, 7. Mhango.
Subs: 41. Sithole, 2. Monyame, 5. Nyauza, 6. Motshwari, 45. Pule, 32. Mntambo, 15. Makaringe, 26. Muwowo, 12. Makgaka.
