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Orlando Pirates ........... 1 Stellenbosch FC ........... 1 OHANNESBURG – Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their DStv Premiership clash at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch yesterday evening.

The Maroons put in a powerful first half performance but found themselves a goal down heading into the break after the Buccaneers opened the scoring via Nkosinathi Sibisi, but an equaliser from Junior Mendieta early in the second half ensured a share of the spoils.

The result means both teams maintain an unbeaten start to the season, with Stellies drawing again after a 0-0 stalemate with Marumo Gallants, while the Soweto side followed up with the stalemate after a narrow win over derby rivals Swallows FC.

Pirates’ first chance arrived on 18 minutes when a free kick passed through the danger area and fell for Thembinkosi Lorch, who sliced a half-volley wide of the mark.

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Stellenbosch were forced into an early change when Antonio van Wyk replaced the injured Glen Hahn on 20 minutes, and the young substitute’s first contribution to the game was a shot from a tight angle into the side netting.

Stellenbosch should have claimed the lead on 38 minutes when Van Wyk, who grew in confidence the longer he was on the pitch, strode forward into space and struck a shot over the target, when he should have at least called Ofori into action. The half looked set to end goalless, but in the last minute of regulation time before the break, Pirates claimed the lead against the run of play.

Kabelo Dlamini’s corner kick was emphatically headed home by defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, whose effort thundered into the goal via the underside of the crossbar.

Stellies would have been gutted to be a goal down at the interval, but they fought back to level the game nine minutes after the restart in the second half.

Basadien’s free kick delivery from the left picked out Junior Mendieta, who overpowered Maela in the air and directed a header beyond Ofori’s right hand for 1-1.

The Buccaneers nearly reclaimed the lead just after the hour mark when Goodman Mosele got away a deflected shot from the edge of the box, which flashed just wide of the top corner, and they soon opted for changes in attack and midfield, as Vincent Pule and Miguel Timm were introduced in the 67th minute.