Orlando Pirates threw away a two-goal lead as they dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Royal AM on Friday evening, dashing their hopes of a second-place finish.

The Sea Robbers still harboured hopes of finishing in the Caf Champions League slot and got off to the perfect lead as they were 2-0 up in next to no time.

First, Deon Hotto got on the scoresheet as he was picked out by a Thembinkhosi Lorch cross and provided a clinical finish before Kwame Peprah doubled the lead four minutes later with a towering header.

Pirates were 2-0 up after seven minutes and seemingly in control.
Royal AM began to find their feet but the Soweto giants were able to absorb the pressure heading into the second half.

Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids’ men absorbed the pressure towards the end of the first stanza, but Hotto had an opportunity to extend the lead on the stroke of half time with a free kick on the edge of the box, but ballooned his effort over the crossbar.

With 11 minutes to go, the home side got back in the game courtesy of a long-range strike from former Pirates man Thabo Matlaba, which flew into the top corner to set up a grandstand finish.

The visitors looked to sit back and defend their slender lead in the dying stages, but it came back to bite them as Mfundo Thikazi snatched a late equaliser in stoppage time to end Pirates’ hopes of a Caf Champions League campaign next season.