Bucs, Arrows share the spoils

A cold night in Soweto resulted in the share of spoils as Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows played to a goalless draw at the Orlando Stadium last night.

Pirates are likely to be the most disappointed side by the result as they lost out on an opportunity to go on top of the Absa Premiership standings.

However, Bucs moved to second spot on the log with 15 points after nine games – just a point behind log leaders Bidvest Wits.

Arrows, meanwhile, are on seven points after eight games and occupy 12th spot on the league table.

Both sides started the game on a very high tempo with the temperatures seemingly dropping down by the minute. But like in their previous games, particularly at home, the Buccaneers dominated possession but weren’t able to crack a solid Arrows back.

Arrows went on to become the first side to get a real chance on goal when some lovely pressing play saw Danny Phiri steal a ball from the Bucs defence, but his shot was disappointing as it went wide from Pirates keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane’s poles in the 14th minute.

Two minutes later, some lovely interplay by Ben Motshwari and Thembinkosi Lorch almost resulted into something special for Bucs, but it wasn’t to be as the final pass from Lorch was too heavy for Motshwari.

Some good play by Arrows’ youngster Siboniso Conco granted him an opportunity to test Mpontshane after getting past the Bucs defence, but his shot was disappointing with the game heading into the break.

Arrows got their first real chance of the game in the 55th minute, but Mpontshane was at the right place at right time to save Sibeko’s header.

Knox Mutizwa was another player to get a great opportunity to put the visitors upfront, but he was not quick enough to control the ball, letting the Bucs backfour to clear out the danger in the 69th minute.

Bucs, meanwhile, got the best opportunity of the night when a poor clearance by Gumede saw his ball go straight to Vincent Pule who was able to control the ball well, but Arrows were able to recover in time before trying to take a shot in the 75th minute.

Towards the end, Pule once again got a chance to get the winning goal, but his well struck freekick went just over the bar.

In another PSL match, Chippa United beat Free State Stars 1-0.

Also see Page 29