Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates extended their winless run to three matches in the 2021/22 season after drawing 0-0 with Marumo Gallants in the PSL encounter on Tuesday evening.
The result at Peter Mokaba Stadium means the Buccaneers have now gone three competitive matches without a win at the start of the new campaign, with this stalemate following a defeat to Swallows FC in the MTN8 quarterfinals and a 2-2 draw in their league opener at home to Stellenbosch FC this past weekend.
As for Gallants, who took over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila’s franchise, the draw earned them a first-ever point in the top-flight league after losing to Baroka FC in their opener.
Both teams took their time settling into the game, with Pirates perhaps the more fluid in terms of passing and movement, though Gallants offered more of a goal threat in the opening quarter thanks to the movement and energy of new striker Sede Junior Dion.
Pirates struggled to bring their attackers into the game, with their only effort on target in the first half coming from Frank Mhango, but it was easily saved by Gallants keeper Washington Arubi. The interval saw the teams locked at 0-0.
Pirates made a change in attack at the start of the second half, replacing Mhango with Terrence Dzvukamanja, while Marumo waited until the hour mark to bring Joseph Molongoane and Katlego Otladisa off the bench to boost their offensive impetus.
It almost paid dividends just a few minutes later when Pirates failed to clear from a corner kick and Celimpilo Ngema latched onto the loose ball, sending a volley onto the angle of the crossbar and upright – though Ofori did appear to have the effort covered had it been on target.
Ultimately, the first-ever meeting between Gallants and Pirates ended in a 0-0 draw on the night.
The teams will only return to DStv Premiership action after the impending international break, with Pirates at home to Swallows FC on 11 September and Gallants away to Cape Town City on 15 September.
Meanwhile Mamelodi Sundowns were frustrated by Chippa United in a DStv Premiership match which ended in a 0-0 draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Brazilians started the match brightly and they were pressing the Chilli Boys’ defence, which nearly committed a mistake just seven minutes into the encounter.
Peter Shalulile ran onto Riaan Hanamub’s poor pass back to goalkeeper Ismail Watenga, but the ball narrowly escaped the Sundowns striker and the Chilli Boys survived a scare.
Sundowns continued to dominate possession as the halftime break approached, moving the ball through the channels looking to create chances, but Chippa stood firm at the back and the score was 0-0 at the interval.
Needing more inspiration, Downs made a triple change with some serious quality coming off the bench on the hour mark as Gaston Sirino, Kermit Erasmus and Thapelo Morena entered the fray at the expense of Maema, Aubrey Modiba and Khuliso Mudau (the latter had been injured).
A combination of the new men and some added intensity saw the Brazilians putting the home side under increasing pressure, although Watenga was not overly tested, his next save coming in the 78th minute when he comfortably held onto a Sirino shot from outside the box.
In the end, Chippa were able to make it through five minutes of referee’s added time without any issue, deservingly claiming the point.