LACKLUSTRE DEADLOCK
GOAL SHY: BUCCANEERS STRIKEFORCE MISFIRE AGAINST GOLDEN ARROWS Neither Swallows or SuperSport United managed to overhaul Sundowns at the top of the log.
Orlando Pirates failed to bounce back to winning ways after they were held to a goalless draw by Golden Arrows at the Orlando Stadium yesterday.
Bucs went all out to try and get maximum points, but Arrows were having none of it as the still unbeaten Abafana Be’sthende were chasing three wins on the trot. after back-to-back victories in a busy week-and-a-half.
Following Innocent Maela’s blunders in their 2-0 loss to Black Leopards in their previous match, Bucs coach Josef Zinnbauer opted to make some changes to his back-line by bringing back captain Happy Jele and Maela starting on the bench.
This was Jele’s first start since their 1-0 win against Bloemfontein Celtic last year.
Pirates were desperate to get a win with as the home side went straight into attack mode early in the game.
The combination play between Bongani Sam and Vincent Pule looked threatening initially to Arrows and a final ball to Terrence Dzukamanja just found the striker in an offside position.
In the 24th minute, Arrows launched an attack of their own, but Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who also returned to the starting line-up after recovering from an injury, was quick to clear the danger from Pule Mmodi.
Thembinkosi Lorch got an opportunity to put Bucs in the lead, but his header hit the upright just after the half-hour mark.
The Buccaneers continued to ask questions, but Lorch’s shot deflected off Fortune Makaringe. leaving the score-line goalless going into half-time.
Arrows’ best opportunity of the game came in the 52nd minute, but Mthokozisi Dube’s strike went straight into the safe hands of Bucs goal-minder Ofori.
Zinnbauer introduced Deon Hotto and Gabadinho Mhango for Bongani Sam and Lorch respectively.
Makaringe did find his way into the visitors box in the 65th minute, but his shot unfortunately deflected off Dube before going out for a corner-kick.
At the other end, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit had a chance of their own when Ntsako Makhubela sent a long ball through to Mmodi, whose attempt was blocked and the ball drifted out for a coner.
The last few minutes of the game saw some end-to-end stuff from both sides, but neither team found a breakthrough.
Neither Swallows FC or SuperSport United managed to over haul Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the log yesterday and Masandawana remained ahead of the Birds at the top with a better goal difference.
Swallows were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United at Dobsonville and hosts SuperSport United came from behind to force a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu.