Orlando Pirates played to a 0-0 draw against a resilient SuperSport United outfit in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday night, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
SuperSport looked more likely to score in the opening exchanges as they forced Pirates to defend deep in their own half. The home side’s attacking intensity gradually diminished, which in turn saw the Buccanneers dominate proceedings, with Musa Nyatama and Xola Mlambo dictating terms in the midfield.
Pirates looked particularly threatening when attacking down the flanks and should have scored in the 23rd minute after defender Clayton Daniels made a hash of a routine clearance; however, striker Justin Shonga’s toe-poke went wide of the effort.
Shonga was at it again minutes later and had Mbombela Stadium erupting after putting the ball in the back of the net, only to realise that he had been flagged for offside.
Pirates rattled SuperSport as they struck the crossbar and post in quick succession with Ronwen Williams well-beaten through two efforts from Mpho Makola.
The visitors picked up where they left off in the first half and launched a wave of attacks toward the SuperSport goalframe, but they were single-handedly denied by the world-class goalkeeping of Williams, who would not be beaten.
As much as Pirates dominated proceedings while in possession of the ball, it was their off-the-ball movement and pressing which left SuperSport unable to match Pirates’ level.
The home side made the first change of the game when Thabo Mnyamane replaced Aubrey Modiba in the 63rd minute. Pirates opted for their first change three minutes later when Marshall Munetsi replaced Mthokozisi Dube.
Milutin Sredojevic opted for an all-out attack with Augustine Mulenga coming on to replace the ineffective Thembinkosi Lorch, while Thabo Qalinge made a late cameo appearance for Shonga.
Pirates threw numbers forward in a last-ditch attempt to open the scoring, however, the Soweto giants were unable to do so despite late efforts from Luvuyo Memela and Mlambo.
SuperSport X: Williams, Nhlapo, Kekana, Daniels, Boateng, Furman, Letsholonyane, Mokoena, Phala, Modiba, Rusike.
Pirates XI: Mpontshane, Jele, Shitolo, Dube, Maela, Nyatama, Mlambo, Makola, Memela, Lorch, Shonga.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/Backpagepix
