Pirates go top in unconvincing style

Orlando Pirates might have taken the Absa Premiership lead, but continue to lack that edge that could truly make them contenders, settling for an eighth draw of the season last night.

Bucs were overly cautious in the first half, then ran rampant, but could not score in the second in their fifth home game without a victory, with just one win from nine overall.

It was Ntsikelelo Nyauza 1 Ntsikelelo Nyauza 1 by the break, Pirates’ right-back scoring a 23rd-minute own goal and 35thminute equaliser.

Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic, who was again left ruing his “Rooibos without sugar”, has achieved his aim of making Bucs more competitive from last season’s hiatus. But their form at home is questionable.

Even at Orlando, counterattacking Bucs do not come out pushing, pressing and instilling fear. Against a team coached by Cavin Johnson that approach can court trouble. Johnson plays to attack, and win, no matter the opposition.

Usuthu came out trying to harass Pirates deep in their half, and the result was an opener. Roaming forward Mhlengi Cele’s cross was missed by AmaZulu’s Siyathemba Mnguni at the near post. Nyauza was surprised to receive an awkward-bouncing ball and chested into his own exposed net.

Pirates equalised, but their own fortunate goal came from an AmaZulu mistake rather than pressure — Mbongeni Gumede giving the ball away for Musa Nyatama to pass to Luvuyo Memela whose attempt at goal ricocheted off goalkeeper Boalefa Pule onto the post. Nyauza atoned by finishing the

Usuthu don’t have star quality to press Pirates for 90 minutes away

rebound.

Usuthu do not have the star quality to press Pirates for 90 minutes away, and Sredojevic, as he had in the previous game, would have had an answer to that tactic out of the change-rooms. Johnson had AmaZulu more circumspect from the break.

Pirates did have a far better shape in attack during the second period as Thamsanqa Gabuza replaced Nkosi and the big man forced a save from Pule.

And although Bucs were rampant as the game wore on, they found it difficult to find the net, missing many chances.

But it still could have been an AmaZulu victory when Siduduzo Dlamini’s shot from a free kick cannoned off the crossbar in added time.