Birds snatch a very late draw

A dramatic end to the Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Swallows FC saw the sides share the spoils in a 1-1 DStv Premiership draw at a wet Orlando Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Ben Motswari thought he had won the game for Pirates in the last five minutes of regulation time, before Kamohelo Mahlatsi cancelled it out in added time, to level the scores.

It wasn’t the best of performances from either side but one might be forgiven for using the soaking wet pitch as an excuse, which hampered enterprising play.

The result was a blow to Pirates, in pasrticular, who came into this game after losing to Mamelodi Sundowns, while for Swallows, it would be seen as a confidence-booster as the Birds retained their unbeaten run after 10 league starts.

The rain continued falling heavily well into the first half and both teams were struggling to play their normal football.

Swallows were dealt a blow when Thabo Matlaba was forced off the field early-on due to an injury and he was replaced by Sifiso Hlanti.

In the 19th minute, Pirates had a glorious opportunity after Deon Hotto picked up a loose ball in the Swallows box, but the chance went abegging due to the winger being at an awkward angle, before managing to find Fortune Makaringe, but Birds were able to clear the danger.

At the other end, Ruzaigh Gamildien was presented with a halfchance following a cross from the right wing, but his first shot was saved by Wayne Sandilands in the 22nd minute.

On he half-hour mark, some exceptional play from Bucs’ Wayde Jooste saw the right back dribbling past two Swallows defenders, but his shot failed to trouble Virgil Vries between the Birds poles.

Pirates enjoyed much of the possession in the seco0nd half but their entry into the final third wasn’t impressive and they failed to create enough clear-cut chances.

In the 70th minute, Pirates thought they had won a penalty after Makaringe was brought down inside the box by Tlakusani Mthethwa, but the Bucs midfielder was booked for simulation,

Eventually in the 85th minute Pirates could finally celebrate as Motswari’s attempt from close range hit teh back of the net.

But it was short-lived as Swallows bounced back with Mahlatsi’s equaliser in injury time, forcing the draw.