Orlando Pirates climbed to the top of the Absa Premiership standing after playing out to a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Buccaneers came into this encounter sitting in fourth place in the Absa Premiership standings with 19 points following their 0-0 draw with SuperSport United in their previous league clash on 5 December.

Meanwhile, Usuthu occupies 12th place with 14 points, trailing the Soweto giants by five after playing out to a 2-2 draw with Ajax Cape Town at Athlone Stadium on 25 November.

Pirates came out with intent in the opening exchanges of the match and had the first opportunity in the ninth minute when Luvuyo Memela unleashed a strike at goal, but the forward blazed his effort over the target.

However, the visitors took the lead after 22 minutes courtesy of an own-goal by Ntsikelelo Nyauza, who deflected the ball into his own net.

Pirates nearly pulled a goal back after captain Thabo Matlaba found himself in some space before blasting an effort at goal, but the defender’s effort was deflected out for a corner.

The home side eventually restored parity in the 35th minute when Nyauza redeemed himself after he found the back of the net from close range to make it 1-1.

Both sides were unable to grab the lead in the first 45 minutes of the match as the clash went into the half time interval locked at 1-1.

Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic opted for a pair of fresh legs after he introduced Thamsanqa Gabuza to replace Ayanda Nkosi in attack.

AmaZulu goalkeeper Boalefa Pule came to his sides rescue when he produced a fine save to deny Memela’s effort after 65 minutes.

Pirates had another opportunity to put the game to bed minutes later, but Pule produced another fine save to deny Justin Shonga’s curling effort from outside the area.

Substitute Gabuza should’ve found the back of the net in the 70th minute when he was sent through one-on-one with the AmaZulu shot-stopper, but Pule made another vital save to keep out his goal-bound effort.

AmaZulu had a golden opportunity to win the match in stoppage time when Siduduzo Dlamini rattled the woodwork with his free-kick from 25-yards as both sides shared the spoils at the Orlando Stadium.

In other Absa Premiership results:

Ajax Cape Town 1-0 Chippa United

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix