Orlando Pirates failed to get back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after playing to a goalless draw with Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Golden Arrows 0-0 Orlando Pirates
Date: 20 November 2021
Venue: Princess Magogo Stadium
Pirates made three changes from the loss to Kaizer Chiefs, as Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Bandile Shandu were both recalled alongside a rare start for Collins Makgaka while Arrows recalled Mthokozisi Dube to play against his parent club.
The Buccaneers took the game to Abafana Bes'thende in the opening exchanges as Fortune Makaringe came close to giving them the lead in the ninth minute with a strike from the edge of the box that hit the post.
Lehlohonolo Seema's charges were quite content to absorb the pressure and play on counter-attacks althoug the final pass let them down whenever they did break forward.
View Orlando Pirates' 37-man squad for the 2021/22 season:
Arrows were nearly punished just before the halftime break as Deon Hotto rattled the crossbar from a free-kick just outside the box, as the first stanza ended goalless.
Pirates were struggling to break down Seema's men early in the second stanza and they made a double change just after the hour-mark, as Terrence Dzvukamanja replaced Makgaka in an attacking move and Ntsako Makhubela came on for Linda Mntambo for fresh legs in midfield.
The visitors gained momentum after that as Olisa Ndah came close to breaking the deadlock in the last 15 minutes with a close-range header that missed just wide after a cross by Hotto.
Arrows were finding clear chances on transitions in the dying minutes but they lacked the finishing touches, as the sides settled for the share of the spoils on the day.
Here's how they started:
Arrows: 32. N.Gumede, 29. Sibisi, 15. Zuke, 28. M.Dube, 35. Mantshiyane, 28. L.Dube, 24. Dlamini, 13. Mmodi, 17. Conco, 11. Sibiya, 33. M.Gumede
Subs: 16. Mbatha, 37. Ndlovu, 34. Fikizolo, 7. Mtshali, 25. Nkosi, 26. Magubane, 4. Khumalo, 8. Sabelo, 12. Ndwandwe
Pirates: 40. Mpontshane, 5. Nyauza, 49. Ndah, 26. Shandu, 29. Mako, 44. Mabaso, 15. Makaringe, 12. Makgaka, 32. Mntambo, 11. Hotto, 46. Peprah.
Subs: 30. Sandilands, 42. Radiopane, 27. Dzvukamanja, 28. Makhubela, 23. Maela, 19. Sam, 18. Dlamini, 16. Monare, 14. Hlatshwayo.
