Orlando Pirates dropped to eighth spot on the DStv Premiership standings after being held to a goalless draw by Richards Bay.
DStv Premiership
Result: Richards Bay 0-0 Orlando Pirates
Date: 25 November 2023
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium.
The Buccaneers made four changes following their win over Kaizer Chiefs before the FIFA break, as Fortune Makaringe, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Relebohile Mofokeng and Vincent Pule were brought in.
Jose Riveiro's charges were under attack in the early exchanges as Yanela Mbuthuma had a couple of chances at goal thwarted by goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi.
The visitors started to get into their rhythm going forward after 20 minutes but they could not yet create clear-cut chances.
Pirates pinned back Richards Bay in their own half but they were frustrated by a low block and had another scare just after the half-hour mark from a counter-attack as Thulani Gumede forced another save from Buthelezi.
The Buccaneers had the bulk of possession towards the end of the first stanza but they could not increase the tempo of their game and the Natal Rich Boyz were happy to sit back and denied them spaces in dangerous areas.
The Soweto giants were fired up coming from the break and they were taking shots at goal from different angles but could not test goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane.
Riveiro eventually made attacking changes with 25 minutes to go, as Monnapule Saleng replaced Evidence Makgopa and Kabelo Dlamini came on for Mofokeng.
The changes brought the urgency for Pirates as moments later Tapelo Xoki came close to breaking the deadlock with a curling free-kick on the edge of the box that well saved in the top corner by Mabokgwane.
Richards Bay started to find spaces on counter-attacks as Pirates committed numbers going forward and Gumede had a good chance three minutes before time with a strike on the edge of the box that dragged wide.
With the game slightly delayed by off-the-field issues, the Sea Robbers midfielder Thabang Monare, who was one of the substitutes warming up, was red-carded for his remonstrations with the referee and opposition players.
Pirates pressurized Richards Bay in the dying minutes and threatened as Mabokgwane pulled off a crucial save in the box and Maswanganyi had goal-bound shot blocked in the box as the sides shared the spoils.
Here's how they lined up:
Richards Bay: Mabokgwane, Dlamini, Banda, Mthethwa, Mcineka, Komane, Barns, Mhlongo, Mbuthuma, Mthembu, Gumede
Subs:Manqele, Dube, Mabaso, Mabuya, Figareido, Makateng, Ndaba, Mohomi, Mngomezulu
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Xoki, Ndah, Hotto, Timm, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi, Pule, Makaringe, Mofokeng, Makgopa
Subs: Mpontshane, Erasmus, Sesane, Baloni, Kimvuidi, Dlamini, Saleng, Monare
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