Orlando Pirates were held to a 0-0 draw by AmaZulu in the Absa Premiership at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday, as the Soweto giants’ scoreless run was extended to four games.

The Buccaneers came into the fixture looking to bounce back from a torrid week where they not only saw Milutin Sredojevic resign, but also suffered the third loss in a row as Highlands Park sent them packing from the MTN8 with a 1-0 win.

Now, with Rhulani Mokwena at the helm, Pirates faced a tricky away game at Usuthu who were still looking for their first win of the league campaign after two losses.

Pirates started the game on the front foot and almost took an early lead when Gabadinho Mhango got on the end of some wonderful buildup play, but the new signing could not keep his shot down.

AmaZulu, though, were also not siting back and went close in return in the 10th minute when Siyethemba Sithebe let fly from range and Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands inexplicably let the ball go. Luckily, for Sandilands, the ball rattled the crossbar when it could have so easily dipped in.

It was proving to be an open game. Vincent Pule was unlucky not to put his side ahead in the 17th minute after he combined well with Siphesihle Ndlovu before guiding his shot past the keeper and towards the back post, but it hit the upright and AmaZulu could clear.

Both sides were making openings but struggling to find their clinical edge as the sides went in level at the break.

Mokwena would have been hoping that his side came out firing in the second stanza, but they were struggling to make any headway and restricted to efforts from range in the opening periods.

But, Cavin Johnson’s men were not going to roll over. In the 75th minute they came close through Andre de Jong, who showed some lovely skill to beat his defender before unleashing a powerful shot, but Sandilands was equal to the effort with a fine save.

Try as they might, neither side could find the breakthrough and had to settle for the goalless draw.