Orlando Pirates and Chippa United were forced to share the spoils after they played out to a 1-1 draw at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Buccaneers had the first attempt at goal in the seventh minute when Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo unleashed a strike from distance but saw his effort deflect out for a corner.
Chippa produced an opportunity of their own in the 19th minute but Siphelele Luthuli saw his effort comfortably saved by Sipho Chaine.
The Buccaneers eventually took the lead five minutes later when Bandile Shandu finished from close range after receiving an inviting cross from Relebohile Mofokeng.
Mofokeng had two chances to double Pirates’ lead in the 27th and 34th minute but both times he fired his effort wide of the target.
The Chilli Boys were unable to level matters as Pirates went into the half time break with a one-goal lead.
Chippa produced the first real chance at goal in the second half but Mulenga fired his shot wide of the target.
Maswanganyi should have doubled his side’s lead in the 53rd minute after he found acres of space before unleashing his shot at goal but the attacker could not keep his effort on target as it sailed wide of goal.
Chippa finally levelled matters in the 65th minute thanks to a superb effort from Goodman Mosele with his first goal of the season.
Jose Riveiro opted to make a double substitution in the 66th minute and the 75th minute when he first introduced innocent Maela and Makhehlene Makhaula to replace Sibisi and Ndlondlo before he brought on Katlego Otladisa and Thabiso Monyane to replace Mofokeng and Shandu respectively.
Pirates almost gifted the Chilli Boys with a goal in the 80th minute but Mosele’s effort from range narrowly missed the target.
Riveiro made his final substitution eight minutes later when Maswanganyi made way for Fortune Makaringe as they pushed for the winning goal in the closing stages of the game.
Lepasa had a chance to lead his team to victory in the final minute of the game but the in-form striker blazed his effort just over the bar as the two teams shared the spoils after the final whistle.
Photo by Deryck Foster/BackpagePix
