Orlando Pirates and Baroka FC played to a 0-0 draw at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening with the match overshadowed by a horrific injury to Pirates defender Paseka Mako.
Result: Baroka 0-0 Orlando Pirates
Date: 12 April 2022
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Pirates made just the one change to their starting line-up with Tshegofatso Mabasa replacing Kwame Peprah up front.
It was Baroka who started the brighter of the two sides and in the fourth minute, midfielder Manuel Kambala unleashed a powerful long-range effort but it was straight down the middle and Richard Ofori was able to make a rather routine save in the end.
After a slow start to the match, the Buccaneers began to start moving the ball around quickly and accurately. In the 22nd minute a good team move resulted in Ndlovu getting a sight at goal and his shot went only narrowly wide.
Baroka came ever so close to opening the scoring in the 25th minute when Christopher Sekela's corner was headed inches wide of the top right corner by Ananias Gebhardt.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Goodman Mosele was cut down on the edge of the area and Hotto's brilliant free-kick struck the upright and Tshegofatso Mabasa tapped home the rebound but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Pirates were almost punished by Baroka when a sloppy pass gifted the ball straight to Dan Ndlovu just on the edge of the right-hand side of the box and the Baroka midfielder drilled a low effort which Ofori did well to keep out with his legs as the Buccaneers breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon after, Thabang Monare fouled Kambala on the edge of the area. Sekela stepped up and curled a promising effort over the wall towards the top right corner but Ofori was across comfortably to catch.
The Sea Robbers shook things up on the hour mark with Thembinkosi Lorch, Wayde Jooste and Fortune Makaringe coming on for Ndlovu, Bandile Shandu and Hotto.
In the 66th minute Jooste did well on the right-hand side when he skipped inside past two challenges and fired one off on his left foot which went wide of the right-hand post.
With time running out Pirates made their fourth change with Peprah replacing Mabasa.
The floodlights went off in the 75th minute and when play resumed Richard Ofori charged into Mako, with the player needing medical attention for over 20 minutes and being transported away in an ambulance before the referee blew the final whistle.
Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 2. Mphahlele, 3. Gebhardt, 5. Makume, 33. Farmer, 7. Mokhabi, 11. Sithole, 17. Kambala, 21. Masiya, 24. Ndhlovu, 29. Bobete.
Subs: 1. Chipezeze, 8. Goldstone, 9. Mbulu, 12. Mgaga, 13. Malivha, 18. Shozi, 23. Ngubane, 27. Makgopa, 38. Maluleke.
Pirates: 31. Ofori, 4. Jele, 5. Nyauza, 26. Shandu, 29. Mako, 16. Monare, 20. Mosele, 8. Ndlovu, 18. Dlamini, 11. Hotto, 9. Mabasa
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 46. Peprah, 42. Mabaso, 23. Maela, 19. Sam, 17. Jooste, 15. Makaringe, 6. Motshwari, 3. Lorch
