Six-goal thriller at Orlando Stadium

● Orlando Pirates coach Rhulani Mokwena is beginning to resemble a doctor with the diagnosis but is in short supply of medicine.

They came into this match under pressure because of their stuttering start to the campaign which is testing the patience of the majority of their hard-to-please supporters.

They have been so inconsistent that they are yet to win two league matches in succession and this defeat means they have only won two matches after seven starts.

Coaches under pressure

They started with a win over Bloemfontein Celtic, followed up with a loss to SuperSport United and there were two goalless draws with AmaZulu and Golden Arrows.

They went on to beat Chippa United before losing to Bidvest Wits in their last league match and nearly returned to winning ways but allowed City to equalize in the dying minutes. This draw means there will be no breathing space for Mokwena as he continues with his public audition for the job on a full-time basis.

For visiting coach Benni McCarthy it is also not getting any easier as they remain with one win from seven matches and they must win in their next match against AmaZulu next week in Durban to relieve pressure.

City were the first on the scoresheet through attacking midfielder Thabo Nodada as early as the sixth minute with a thunderous shot from outside the box, and Kermit Erasmus increased their lead three minutes later.

Pirates take the lead

Pirates recovered with captain Happy Jele with a long-range shot fumbled by City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh.

Jele’s goal seemed to take the steam out of the visitors as they allowed Pirates to settle and they were once again rewarded with the equaliser from impressive striker Tshegofatso Mabasa on the stroke of half-time.

They went to the break deadlocked but City should have been leading because they created more chances only to be denied by Delle, who pulled off some stunning saves.

Pirates took the lead through the powerful header of defender Alfred Ndengane.

Pirates thought the three points were in the bag but Shane Roberts equalised five minutes from time as they had to settle for a share of the spoils.