The Last Rites
PSL glory beckons while race against relegation intensifies
Cape Town City (1) 2 Orlando Pirates (1) 2 GOALS: Cape Town City — Kewuti 1’, Martin 84m). Orlando Pirates — (Lorch 16’, Memela 50’)
● Craig Martin scored a late equaliser for Cape Town City as Orlando Pirates’ Absa Premiership title hopes were dealt a blow in a 2-2 draw at Athlone Stadium yesterday.
The Buccaneers are now one point ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, but have played a game more and could see the Brazilians take over in top spot before the final round of matches next weekend, taking the championship out of their hands.
Pirates fell behind to a Zukile Kewuti goal after 18 seconds, but within 15 minutes they were on level terms through an equaliser from Thembinkosi Lorch, and early in the second period grabbed the lead through Luvuyo Memela.
But Martin broke the hearts of The Ghost with the equaliser in a magnificent atmosphere as tens of thousands of expectant Pirates fans filled the stands.
Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic went with the same starting side that did duty in the 1-0 away victory over Maritzburg United 10 days previously.
After a season of tinkering he has seemingly settled on what he feels is his best side, which did not include midfielder Xola Mlambo, who started on the bench.
City were again without suspended striker Kermit Erasmus, who surely would have relished facing his former employers, but restored left-back Edmilson Dove, winger Gift Links and playmaker Chris David to the starting side. Former Buccaneer Teko Modise had to settle for a place on the bench.
The match kicked off 15 minutes late as fans streamed into the stadium, but when it did, Pirates made the worst possible start.
Goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands saved point-blank from Siphelele Mthembu following a low cross from the right, and Kewuti slammed home the loose ball.
Thembinkosi Lorch had an opportunity to equalise shortly afterwards, but his chip over home goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh cleared the crossbar. Justin Shonga was the next to shoot wide in a frantic start.
Pirates pressed hard for the equaliser and it arrived on 15 minutes. Lorch slipped into space in the box and he finished neatly past an exposed Leeuwenburgh.
The big Dutch goalkeeper had to be alert midway through the first half when Vincent Pule lashed a shot goalwards, but was pushed over the bar by the gloveman as Pirates continued to look the more enterprising of the two teams.
Kewuti should have grabbed a second though when he rose to meet Thami Mkhize’s cross from the right, but put his effort the wrong side of the post.
The first half ended with the scores level, with Pirates unable to turn their possession superiority into goals.
Mthembu had an effort go wide early in the second period after being played in by David, but Pirates hit the front on 50 minutes. A mistake from Cupido gave Lorch a clear run on goal, and while Leeuwenburgh did well to block his initial effort, and the subsequent shot was blocked by a defender, Memela showed composure to blast the ball home at the third attempt.
City thought they had the equaliser when David finished in the corner, but the goal was ruled out for offside by referee Khulekani Thusi and his assistant Shaun Olive.
Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari blasted wide from a good position, and the visitors were made to pay for their profligacy when Martin turned the ball home late on, much to the delight of the City bench and their coach, former Pirates striker Benni McCarthy.