Orlando Pirates dropped points in their first home match of 2024 after being held to a 1-1 draw by Cape Town Spurs on Wednesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-1 Cape Town Spurs
Date: 06 March 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made three changes following their narrow win over Polokwane City, as Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Tshegofatso Mabasa were all brought in, with Evidence Makgopa not in the squad.
The Buccaneers had a bright start after Thabiso Monyane almost opened the scoring in the first five minutes, with a strike that was saved to the post by goalkeeper Neil Boshoff.
Relebohile Mofokeng eventually gave Jose Riveiro's charges the lead on 12 minutes with a low curler that found the bottom corner after he cut inside the box.
Ernst Middendorp's charges were able to find spaces going forward and ten minutes before the interval Ashley Cupido had a big chance with a rolling ball unmarked in the box but he could not sort his feet out and was dispossessed.
However, Pirates completely held the Urban Warriors in their own half towards half-time but could not create clear chances as they only took a 1-0 lead to the interval.
Riveiro made an attacking change at half-time as Lesedi Kapinga came in for Karim Kimvuidi while Middendorp brought on Boitumelo Radiopane against his parent club in place of Cupido for fresh legs up top.
However, the hosts struggled to find their attacking rhythm, with Spurs showing urgency going forward.
After pressurizing Pirates, Gadiel Michael eventually levelled matters for the Urban Warriors with 15 minutes remaining after he lifted a diagonal shot past the dive of shot-stopper Sipho Chaine after he went through on goal in the box.
The Soweto giants finally came to life in the dying minutes but Boshoff made two crucial saves in the box to deny Kapinga with a header and Tapelo Xoki from the rebound.
The Buccaneers had a penalty appeal in stoppage time after Zakhele Lepasa was kicked in the box by Denwin Farmer but the referee did not see the infringement and Spurs held on to 1-1 draw.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 23. Maela, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 2. Monyane, 16. Makhaula, 41. Mbatha, 25. Kimvuidi, 38. Mofokeng, 28. Maswanganyi, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 31. Ofori, 39. Mthethwa, 37. Lebitso, 4. Timm, 14. Saleng, 7. Hotto, 18. Dlamini, 21. Kapinga, 9. Lepasa
Cape Town Spurs: 43. Boshoff, 6. Moroole, 36. Nkwali, 24. Dortley, 33. Butsaka, 34. Bern, 40. Kamagi, 50. Maphethe, 8. Phewa, 17. Velebayi, 29. Cupido.
Subs: 1. Dlamini, 9. Ralani, 10. Buchanan, 20. Radiopane, 22. Moosa, 31. Mfecane, 42. Gumede, 44. Farmer, 45. Maduna
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