Bucs churn out a draw with another average display
VLADIMIR Vermezovic has only just warmed the seat as the Orlando Pirates coach, but yet another average display and result, especially in the final home game of the campaign, would have tested the patience of the club’s hierarchy.
The Serbian, who was appointed on Valentine’s Day but arrived a month later due to a delay in securing his work permit, has almost distanced him- self from the performance of the players this season.
The Buccaneers held on to a stalemate in yesterday’s Absa Premiership clash against Platinum Stars here, where referee Khulasande Qongqo denied Dikwena a late penalty. Pirates’ Top 8 finish ambitions remain at risk. First, their league title hopes went up in smoke on Ver- mezovic’s watch, though to be fair those prospects were hanging by a thread even before the coach was brought back to SA.
It would take catastrophic results for them to miss out on being part of the lucrative MTN8 tournament at the beginning of the season. Incidentally, their opponents, who are the cup holders, looked good for a vic- tory when forward Siphelele Mthembu found the opener but, to Vermezovic’s relief, it was cancelled out by substitute Lennox Bacela.
The coach again made changes to his side after the 1-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic on Easter Monday as he continued to assess his squad before he makes his recommendations to management. Oupa Manyisa and skipper Lucky Lekgwathi returned to the line-up, while, among others, Rooi Mahamutsa and Ayanda Gcaba made way. Mahamutsa was serving a onematch suspension.
Vermezovic’s counterpart, Allan Freese, hasn’t had a good start to the year either since winning two cups early on in the season.
Freese made six changes to his team and it seemed to work when Mthembu, a former Pirates player, scored against the run of play. Mduduzi Nyanda whipped in a timely cross with half an hour gone to find the striker ready to head home past goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, stunning the Buccaneers faithful.
Pirates struggled to keep possession. Dikwena were not particularly firing on all cylinders in attack either, having gone quiet after the goal.
The second half was a bit livelier with Bucs realising the ramifications of losing and they found a goal on the hour.
The scorer, Bacela, was jeered by the fans before coming off the bench for Tlou Segolela, but was vindicated minutes later when he squeezed in the crucial header to level matters. It was a gift from Dikwena. In his attempt to clear the ball from danger, Tintswalo Tshabalala hoofed the ball backward and Bacela pounced.
Pirates could have taken the lead with their substitute’s goal had winger Daine Klate been clinical in the penalty box five minutes earlier when he was sent through one-on-one with keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane. The poor finish left the Buccaneers still trailing.
Pirates could have also snatched a win here at the death when defender Thabo Matlaba unleashed a rocket from distance but keeper Mpontshane made a stunning save. A share of the spoils leaves the Buccaneers in fifth and Dikwena got back into the top eight.