By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates came from behind to play a 1-all draw with bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a Betway Premiership match at FNB stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Pirates dominated the first half but could not find a way past the impressive Man of the Match Brandon Petersen in the Chiefs goal.
Oswin Appollis thought he had opened the scoring in the 19th minute, rounding Petersen in style, only for the flag to deny him for offside.
In the 22nd minute, Petersen came off his line to brilliantly deny Yanela Mbuthuma from close range.
Petersen also produced a top-class save to keep out Kamogelo Sebelebele in the 42nd minute, ensuring the first half ended goalless.
At the start of the second half, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou brought in Masindi Nemtajela for Makhehlene Makhaula while Chiefs took off the ineffective Sibongiseni Mthethwa for Mduduzi Shabalala.
The changes benefited Chiefs as they started making inroads into the Pirates territory while stretching the Buccaneers’ high defensive line.
Chiefs took control and broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Wandile Duba burst forward with electric pace and unselfishly set up Pule Mmodi, who calmly slotted home his first Soweto Derby goal to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
However, Pirates turned up the pressure on their arch-rivals and equalised with 15 minutes left as Sebelebele scored his fifth goal of the season from the rebound, after Petersen had parried a shot low down, and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
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