Orlando Pirates lead Chippa United 1-0 at halftime of their DStv Premiership clash on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 1-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 15 August 2023
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Pirates made two changes following their thumping win over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 quarter-finals, as Bandile Shandu and Deon Hotto were recalled, while Goodman Mosele started against his parent club for Chippa.
The Sea Robbers pinned the Chilli Boys in their own half in the early stages but they were nearly punished on 18 minutes from a counter-attack after Siphelele Luthuli unleashed a shot in the box that went straight at goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Pirates maintained their intensity going forward and Shandu eventually broke the deadlock five minutes later with a sweeping shot at the near post after a low cross by Relebohile Mofokeng.
Morgan Mammila's charges picked up their game going forward, as they forced the visitors to do some defending but the Buccaneers dealt with their threats.
The Buccaneers were playing on counter-attacks in the closing phase of the first, Hotto had a good chance to double their lead after he went through on goal in the box but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save in a one-on-one situation.
Mammila went for broke with a triple attacking change at half-time, as he threw in former Pirates players Luvuyo Memela, Craig Martin and Ronaldo Maarman.
The tactical changes by the Chilli Boys worked wonders, as Mosele fired home the equaliser on 64 minutes against his parent club with a sweeping strike towards the bottom corner after a good turn in the box.
Jose Riveiro also refreshed his team in the closing stages as he brought on the likes of Thabiso Monyane, Katlego Otladisa, Makhehlene Makhaula and Innocent Maela.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes as Mulenga had a big chance to get the winner for Chippa but Nkosinathi Sibisi made a crucial tackle from behind.
Zakhele Lepasa also had a chance to snatch for the Buccaneers with a volley on the edge of the box that sailed slightly over the bar and the Chillli Boys wasted time in a long stoppage time and frustrated the Buccaneers to a 1-1 draw.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa United: 32. Nwabali, 5. Pietersen, 2. Mdunyelwa, 3. Ntsabo, 20. Mosele, 28. Lebitso, 24. Konqobe, 33. Chabalala, 25. Kammies, 15. Mulenga, 13. Luthuli.
Subs: 1. Kazapua, 10. Memela, 7. Mbanyane, 19. Majogoro, 11. Maarman, 30. Martin, 14. Kwayiba, 23. Fakude, 6. Poggenpoel
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 26. Shandu, 7. Hotto, 8. Monare, 15. Ndlondlo, 38. Mofokeng, 25. Maswanganyi, 14. Saleng, 9. Lepasa
Subs: 31. Buthelezi, 39. Mthethwa, 33. Nga, 29. Mako, 23. Maela, 16. Makhaula, 12. Otladisa, 11. Makaringe, 2. Monyane
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