Pirates go goalless, but that one point is a boost

● Orlando Pirates huffed and puffed but could not score against Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum in their opening African Champions League Group B clash at the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.

It may well prove a handy point in what is likely to be a difficult away day for all the teams in the pool. FC Platinum, making their debut in the pool phase of the competition, proved an organised and physical opponent.

Defending champions Esperance drew 1-1 with Horoya of Guinea in the other game in Group B on Friday. All four sides have a single point after the opening round.

The match in Bulawayo was played in front of a packed stadium, with many supporters wearing the colours of the Buccaneers, who were clearly a star attraction.

It is a reminder of the popularity and influence of South African football beyond the borders of the country as the official capacity figure of 40,000 appeared to be significantly exceeded, with many fans seated and standing in the gangways.

It was another test of foreign conditions for a South African club after Mamelodi Sundowns had lost to Lobi Stars of Nigeria on Friday on an artificial surface where the ball moved almost too quickly for them.

In the Bulawayo game there was as much dead grass as green on the surface, with the longer grass holding the ball up and making passing difficult — certainly not the quality of pitch Pirates are used to in the PSL.

Pirates featured two Zimbabweans in their lineup, defender Marshall Munetsi and forward Kuda Mahachi, and also handed a starting place to Alfred Ndengane for his Champions League bow.

Jackson Mabokgwane was preferred in goal, with Vincent Pule, Augustine Mulenga and Thamsanqa Gabuza all starting on the bench.

Justin Shonga had the first sighting of goal in the game as Pirates worked him into space on the right-hand side of the box, but his low effort was blocked by home goalkeeper Petros Mhari.

Platinum midfielder Kelvin Madzongwe forced a good save from Mabokgwane with a rasping 35-metre effort, while at the other end Thembinkosi Lorch tried to catch Mhari off his line from a similar distance but saw his shot float over the bar.

FC Platinum notably played a high pressing game, particularly targeting a Pirates defence that has looked vulnerable at times this season.

It gifted FC Platinum set pieces and possession they should not have had as the Buccaneers battled to clear their lines as they tried to play the ball out from the back.

Innocent Maela put his header from a Mahachi corner just wide of goal 10 minutes before the break, and Lorch forced a good stop from Mhari with a fierce volley from 20 metres.

Shonga’s free kick was arrowing in on the bottom corner before the FC Platinum goalkeeper beat the ball away for a corner kick as Pirates began to reassert themselves in the game.

Munetsi headed over from another corner early in the second period, while Mahachi had an excellent chance when he was teed up by Shonga but skewed his effort, and Farai Madhanhanga shot wide with Mabokgwane rooted to the spot as the home side were reduced to shots from distance that rarely troubled the visiting gloveman.

Vincent Pule had a late shout for a penalty turned down by Rwandan referee Jean Claude Ishimwe, who handled the game superbly and made the correct call.

Pirates are next in action on Friday when they host Horoya in Soweto.