Never-say-die Bucs fight back
IMPRESSIVE: TWO LATE GOALS EARN PIRATES A DRAW
Tshepo Ntsoelengoe
Orlando Pirates have made things quite difficult for themselves in their mission to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Caf Champions League after having to come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Zimbabwean outfit FC Platinum at the Orlando Stadium last night.
The Buccaneers are on six points in Group B and in order to qualify for the next stage of the tournament, they have to ensure that they beat Guinea side Horoya, who remain on seven points after losing 2-0 to log leaders Esperance with 11 points on the same night.
The home side looked quite comfortable in the early stages of the game and were presented with a chance in the ninth minute after Luvuyo Memela played Thembinkosi Lorch through, but the winger’s shot was blocked for a corner by the defenders.
The visitors got a chance to go into the lead from a spot-kick after Bucs defender Marcelo da Silva was judged to have handled the ball inside the box, but Wayne Sandilands guessed the right way saving Never Tigere’s penalty in the 19th minute.
However, Tigere made amends when his shot was deflected into goals by Alfred Ndengane in the 27th minute to give the visitors a lead.
Bucs suffered a major blow in the 37th minute when a defensive error by Ndengane saw Platinum extending their lead to 2-0 courtesy of of a tap-in by Rainsome Pavari, leaving the Zimbabwean side going into the break with their heads held high.
Bucs’ Micho Sredojevic introduced striker Augustine Mulenga and the Zambian almost made an impact with a thunderous strike, but it went over the bar in the 67th minute.
Pirates players looked to be under pressure in their search for a goal, but things weren’t going well for them as Shonga’s close range header was calmly saved by Platinum keeper Petros Mhari.
Bucs finally got to beat Mhari courtesy of a Lorch shot in the 81st minute. After that, Mulenga salvaged a draw for the home side with a well taken strike in the 87th minute as Platinum finished the game with one man down after Kevin Moyo was sent off.
Pirates will travel to Guinea for a vital meeting with Horoya on March 16.