Orlando Pirates extended their winless run to four matches across all competitions after dropping points at ten-man Maritzburg United on Wednesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Maritzburg United 0-0 Orlando Pirates
Date: 20 October 2021
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Goodman Mosele and Ntsako Makhubela were not included in the matchday squad, but there were starts for Bongani Sam, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Linda Mntambo.
The first real piece of action came in the eighth minute. Sam took an inswinging corner which nearly creeped into the far corner before Maritzburg keeper Marcel Engelhardt punched the ball away.
Soon after, Tshegofatso Mabasa was one-on-one with goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt after a piercing pass from Mntambo, but his shot from a tight angle was blocked.
The Pirates midfield was definitely on top, with Mntambo was having a big influence as he delivered from the left and found Thabang Monare, whose shot from close range went wide.
The visitors should have taken the lead in the 33rd minute. Mntambo played in a good cross towards Terrence Dzvukamanja, who misdirected his shot from close range which proved to be the final chance of the half.
View Orlando Pirates' 37-man squad for the 2021/22 season:
Maritzburg came out for the second half a side rejuvenated. Travis Graham split the defence to send Amadou Soukouna through on goal but his effort was blocked and away for a corner and Rae headed wide from the resulting set-piece.
The Team of Choice's momentum was stifled when Brandon Theron was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.
Even with ten men, Rae's ball to the back post found Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who chopped onto his left foot and striked across goal but just dragged his effort wide of the post.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Fortune Makaringe went for goal again, but his shot did not curl enough to slot into the top corner as time began to run out.
And in the end, the Sea Robbers could not capitalise on their numerical advantage as they missed out on a chance to go into fourth position.
Here's how they started:
Maritzburg: 31. Engelhardt, 25. Ismail, 24. Rae, 27. Ndengane, 4. Allie, 7. L. Hlongwane, 22. Theron, 8. Kewuti, 6. Graham, 21. B.Hlongwane, 11. Soukouna.
Subs: 1. Peterson, 10. Human, 13. Zumah, 17. Claasen, Ritchie, 24. Bhengu, 19. Skelem, Dlamuka, 36. Bennett.
Pirates: 40. Mpontshane, 4. Jele, 19. Sam, 49. Ndah, 29. Mako, 16. Monare, 15. Makaringe, 32. Mntambo, 26. Shandu, 27, Dvzukamanja, 9. Mabasa
Subs: 30. Sandilands, 46. Peprah, 42. Mabaso, 43. Bophela, 38. Mngonyama, 18. Dlamini, 14. Hlatshwayo, 12. Makgaka, 11. Hotto
