Chances galore, but no victory
NEW COACH: RECORDS THIRD CONSECUTIVE DRAW
Tendai Ndoro the main culprit as chances go abegging.
There was no revenge for Orlando Pirates last night when they played to a 1-1 draw against SuperSport United at the Orlando Stadium. A Thabo Mnyamane strike in the second half was cancelled out by Thembinkosi Lorch, ensuring the Buccaneers got something from the game after their 1-6 drubbing against United earlier in the season.
The draw leaves United on 37 points after 20 games in the league – third on the log standings. The Buccaneers have now registered 11 games without a win, leaving them in 10th spot on 23 points.
So much was expected from Kjell Jonevret’s team having been in decent form in their last couple of games. Since taking over, the Swede has managed to secure two points for Bucs against Polokwane City and Kaizer Chiefs, before the United game.
However, SuperSport came into this game as favourites, having produced a good run in the league.
The game started on a balanced note with both teams failing to create clear chances.
Thamsanqa Gabuza did get an opportunity in the early stages of the game to put Pirates ahead, while at the other end Mnyamane’s 19th minute strike just went wide.
In the second half, things heated up with Mnyamane’s opening goal in the 55th minute.
The former University of Pretoria player has scored in all three games United have played against Pirates this season, dating back from a 1-0 victory in the Telkom Knockout Cup as well as the 6-1 league win earlier.
The midfielder has scored six goals for the Pretoria outfit in his first season with the club so far.
The home side came hard in search of an equaliser, and Lorch could have easily got it in the 73rd minute, but he missed from close range.
The winger managed to redeem himself a couple of minutes later, when he connected well with a low cross from Thabo Matlaba.
Toward the end, Pirates squandered a number of opportunities, with their top scorer, Tendai Ndoro, the main culprit.
Elsewhere, Bidvest Wits were held to a goalless stalemate by Chippa United, while Platinum Stars recorded a 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows.