By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates dropped two crucial points in their title race bid after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Richards Bay at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex of Friday evening.
The hosts struck early, with Thulani Gumede firing them ahead in the 10th minute to rattle Pirates and lay down a marker, heading into the break with the advantage over the visitors.
The visitors’ persistence paid dividends five minutes after halftime when an unmarked Oswin Appollis found space in the area and turned home a lofted delivery from Relebohile Mofokeng.
As Pirates came back into contention and plotted to take the lead, the Natal Rich Boyz reclaimed the advantage when Lindokuhle Zikhali fired a grounder that beat Sipho Chaine from outside the box again.
The Buccaneers thought they had equalised at the death. But the referee adjudged that Andre de Jong had pushed goalkeeper Richard Otieno as Deon Hotto finished off an attack. Few minutes later, in stoppage time, Lebone Seema unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that beat Otieno and registered a Pirates equaliser for a share of the spoils.
Pirates are one point behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, having now played one game more, and Richards Bay FC climbed up one place to 10th in the standings.