Orlando Pirates endured a frustrating evening in front of goal after registering their seventh draw of the DStv Premiership season.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-0 Baroka FC
Date: 02 December 2021
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made only one change to the side that thrashed Stellenbosch, as Linda Mntambo was recalled at the expense of Terrence Dzvukamanja while Bakgaga recalled Athenkosi Dlala, Thamsanqa Masiya and Kgodiso Monama.
The Buccaneers had a lively start and Deon Hotto should have given them the lead in the 17th minute after getting past goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke from a through ball but the Namibian winger failed to hit the target with the net gaping.
It was one-way traffic in the firts half, Kwame Peprah squandered a big chance on the half-hour mark with a free glancing header that sailed over the crossbar after a cross by Fortune Makaringe as the frustration began to show for the hosts.
Kgoloko Thobejane's charges, meanwhile had their attacking moments in the closing phase of the first stanza but they were let down by their final ball as star striker Evidence Makgopa cut a frustrated figure at times.
View Orlando Pirates' 37-man squad for the 2021/22 season:
Baroka were threatening early in the second stanza with aerial balls as goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane was brought into action for the first time, having to parry a long free-kick into the post.
Pirates were struggling to get their attacking rhythm back and they made the change just after the hour-mark, as Kabelo Dlamini replaced Mntambo for fresh legs in the attack.
The Soweto giants eventually regained their attacking momentum in the closing stages after Boitumelo Radiopane replaced Hotto but they lacked the finesse to cut open a resilient Baroka defence that held on to the share of the spoils.
The point leaves Pirates in seventh position while Baroka moved up one spot into 13th position.
Here's how they started:
Pirates: 40. Mpontshane, 5. Nyauza, 49. Ndah, 26. Shandu, 29. Mako, 6. Motshwari, 15. Makaringe, 11. Hotto, 12. Makgaka, 32. Mntambo, 46. Peprah
Subs: 41. Sithole, 42. Radiopane, 38. Mngonyama, 27. Dzvukamanja, 23. Maela, 19. Sam, 18. Dlamini, 16. Monare, 9. Mabasa
Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 5. Makume, 11. Sithole, 33. Farmer, 12. Mgaga, 16. Dlala, 18. Shozi, 21. Masiya, 29. Bobete, 28. Monama, 27. Makgopa,
Subs: 1. Chipezeze, 4. Seema, 6. Sibiya, 7. Mokhabi, 8. Goldstone, 19. Chauke, 20. Nikitaridis, 23. Ngubane, 24. Ndlovu.
