Setback for Pirates as Stars fight for draw
In their debrief, Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson and his Orlando Pirates counterpart Augusto Palacios will lament the fact that their 0-0 stalemate was two points dropped, instead of the one gained.
Pirates went into this match sitting 10th position on the log and Wednesday’s proceedings ended with them trailing logleaders SuperSport United by a nine points and faced with a mountain to climb to refresh their title aspirations.
For Stars, they moved one place to 12th, largely because Mamelodi Sundowns beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in one of Wednesday’s four matches in Mangaung, but Johnson would have preferred maximum points to close the gap with 11th-placed Ajax Cape Town.
It does not get any better for Pirates as they have a daunting trip to traditional rivals Sundowns in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon, where failure to get maximum points will pile more pressure on Palacios.
Stars have time to correct their mistakes as their next league match is on Wednesday away to bottom of the log Baroka FC, where they will fancy their chances of collecting maximum points.
In this match, the two teams enjoyed a fair share of possession in which they played attacking football, but created few goalmouth opportunities to test the goalkeepers.
One of the early opportunities fell for Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa, whose shot from outside the box was saved by Stars goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela.
For Stars, an opportunity went begging as striker Bonginkosi Ntuli lacked support after he was found in possession in the opposition’s danger, where he was outnumbered by the Pirates defenders. Ntuli was again a thorn in the Pirates defence a few minutes later, but he could not cause damage as he was thwarted by Pirates defender Happy Jele inside the box in the 25th minute.
In another match on Wednesday night, two goals in two minutes just after half-time propelled SuperSport United to a spellbinding, but misleading, 5-2 win over Golden Arrows.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane and half-time substitute Thuso Phala scored the 47th and 49th minute goals that knocked the stuffing out of the visitors. Chiukepo Msowoya added a third through an unfortunate own goal from a Thabo Mnyamane freekick in the 61st minute, while Cole Alexander added a fourth five minutes later.
Free State Stars coach Serame Letsoaka was an interested spectator and, he would have been worried with what he witnessed.
Free State Stars and their porous defence are next on SuperSport's menu next week Wednesday.