Bucs are still firing blanks ’

Soweto side s league form remains lethargic as they trail Chiefs by five points

RLANDO Pirates went a fourth match without a win in the Absa Premiership, unable to capitalise on an unconvincing Pretoria University FC in another small blow to the Buccaneers’ title hopes, writes Marc Strydom at FNB Stadium.

Neither side was able to get their passing game into gear. Pirates, especially, would have been disappointed at a flat and not entirely coordinated performance, and they could lose further ground on leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

Amakhosi are five points clear of second-placed Bucs, though after their tough away game against Bloemfontein Celtic at Free State Stadium today, will have played one match more.

Tuks came into the game having not won since the restart from the Africa Cup of Nations break to slip out of the top eight.

Pirates wanted to capitalise on a morale-boosting 1-0 away win against Zanaco in the Caf Champions League to notch their first victory in the PSL since their single-goal triumph against Platinum Stars five weeks ago.

But Bucs’ league form remains lethargic and Chiefs are under less pressure to produce a result in Bloemfontein.

Pirates have plenty of muscle to flex when their backs are to the wall. Last season in the league title race they were nowhere at the halfway stage, but mounted a serious challenge and defended their title.

It’s that sort of experience at clinching the league that can stand Bucs in good stead in the closing stage of this season. But, with the sort of clinically efficient form Chiefs are in, the Buccaneers also would not want to fall too far behind.

There was precious little action in the opening exchanges but around the 20minute mark Pirates began to turn on some measure of style, though Daine Klate could not get a touch onto Collins Mbesuma ’ s chip into the area.

OFor Tuks, lanky centre forward Mame Niang made a shuffling run into the area but shot high and wide. Then Niang’s dipping shot from 40m came in low for Bucs keeper Senzo Meyiwa to collect awkwardly. In the best moment of the half, Klate turned Buhle Mkhwanazi inside out in the corner of Tuks’ area then forced a save from Arubi.

For the most part it was a scrappy and somewhat aimless first 45 minutes, where both sides gave the ball away too often to be able to mount a sustained challenge on either goal.

Another shot from the everforceful Matlaba skimmed the side netting at the start of the second half. But there was a nervous moment for the home side in the 57th minute when Junior Sibande slipped free of Andile Jali’s challenge to be

Pirates ’ fans would have been pleased to see McCarthy make his return to PSL action

through on goal, forcing a save off the legs of Meyiwa.

Pirates ’ fans would have been pleased to see Benni McCarthy make his return to the PSL from injury at a crucial stage of the season when he replaced Collins Mbesuma in the 61st minute.

Roger de Sa brought on Onyekachi Okonkwo for Ndumiso Mabena in the 77th, hoping the Nigerian could add purpose to Pirates’ midfield.

In the 80th Jele turned the ball into Tuks’ net from a goalmouth scramble, but from an offside position. Seven minutes later the Bucs right back’s drive from 28m struck the crossbar.

Bongani Zungu forced a point-blank save from Meyiwa at the other end in injury time. Then Arubi’s athletic save kept out Klate’s header.