Orlando Pirates finally found their scoring boots but once again failed to secure maximum away points after playing out to their fourth consecutive draw in the Absa Premiership, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Buccaneers scored their first goal in four games after playing out to a 1-1 draw with a stubborn Baroka side in the latest Absa Premiership encounter at Emirates Airline Park on Tuesday evening.

Tshegofatso Mabasa broke the deadlock for Pirates with a good finish from a tight angle, but Bakgaga levelled matters through Evidence Makgopa, who looked to have been in an offside position.

Last time Pirates found the net

The last player to score for the Buccaneers was opponent Thabiso Mokoena, who scored an own goal to gift Josef Zinnbauer’s men a 1-0 victory at Thohoyandou Stadium on 16 February 2020.

Dip in form

The Soweto giants lacked the killer instinct and form they showed before the league was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, when they were an 11-game unbeaten run in the league, claiming eight wins and three draws before conceding a 1-0 defeat by arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on 29 February 2020.

Pirates’ top-scorer needs to step up

Gabadinho Mhango hit the ground running this season in the Absa Premiership and has already bagged 14 goals in 24 league appearances, but hasn’t found the back of the net in his last six games, having last scored during their 2-1 win over Chippa United on 1 February 2020 when he bagged a brace.

The return of Lorch

The Buccaneers were without Thebinkosi Lorch for their last two matches after he served a two-game suspension due to breaking team protocols, but Zinnbauer named him among the substitutes for this clash and he came on at half time to replace Fortune Makaringe.

Lorch then did show a glimpse of his former self as he gave the Baroka backline trouble down the right wing, but the form Absa Premiership Player of the Season failed to fully impose himself on the game, despite squaring a lethal ball into the area which nearly led to a goal.

What next for Pirates?

The Sea Robbers will be hoping the goal will give them confidence heading into their next league clash with in-form Cape Town City, who beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on Monday evening.

Although Pirates currently sit third in the league standings and three points behind second-placed Sundowns, they will surely be gunning for the three points against the Citizens to put further pressure on the Brazilians, who are yet to secure a win since the restart.

Orlando Pirates’ season statistics so far:

Wins: 11
Draws: 10
Losses: 5
Total games played: 26
Goals scored: 36
Goals conceded: 27
Clean sheets: 10
Top-scorer: Gabadinho Mhango (14 goals)
Most appearances: Happy Jele (26).