Staff Reporter.
Swallows FC struck late in the second half to secure a point against Orlando Pirates this afternoon at Orlando Stadium.
The Buccaneers were targeting nothing but a victory after suffering their first defeat of the season when they lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns away last weekend.
Paseko Mako and Thabang Monare were recalled to the starting line-up as coach Josef Zinnbauer made two changes to the team which faced Sundowns.
Meanwhile, Swallows were hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the current season having edged out Cape Town City 3-2 at home in midweek.
Coach Brandon Truter made one change to the starting line-up which took on City with Fawaaz Basadien replacing Zaphaniah Mbokoma, who was sent off against the Citizens.
The Birds were the better side in the opening exchanges and they threatened first through Thabo Matlaba, whose long-range effort was well-save by Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands.
Swallows were then forced to make an early change after former Pirates captain Matlaba picked up a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Sfiso Hlanti.
Possession was shared evenly by the two teams after the restart, but the Birds looked more dangerous whenever they pushed forward.
However Ben Motshwari was the man on the scoresheet with a superbly taken half-volley at the edge of the box after the ball was laid off to him by Thembinkosi Lorch.
Swallows grabbed a dramatic late equaliser deep into stoppage time. Sammy Seabi combined well with Joseph Mhlongo, who got to the byline on the right-hand side and squared the ball back into the box on a platter for Kamohelo Mahlatsi to complete a well-timed close-range finish.
Meanwhile, in the only other DStv Premiership match on Sunday, Bloemfontein Celtic and AmaZulu played out to a 1-1 stalemate as well.