Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu in their DStv Premiership clash at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday.
Deon Hotto put Pirates ahead with 29 minutes on the clock but Tshepang Moremi secured a point for his side with his goal on the stroke of half time.
It was an eighth league draw for Bucs in 14 games, and AmaZulu’s tenth.
Makaringe ➡ Peprah ➡ Makgaka ➡ Hotto = 𝐆⚽𝐀𝐋
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 8, 2021
Pirates turn on the style as they open the scoring in their #DStvPrem clash against AmaZulu.
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/0BMWdennut pic.twitter.com/7M3FLAdldj
The home side had started well though with Andre De Jong breaking into the Bucs box on 15 minutes. He delivered a good cross from the left but Tercious Malepe was unable to direct his header on target.
Fortune Makaringe fired well wide minutes later as Pirates looked to make an impact at the other end. His solid straight run down the heart of the AmaZulu midfield was only ended by a solid tackle from Michael Gumede.
AmaZulu were playing some quick passing football and keeping Bucs on the back foot, until a better spell of possession from the away side and quick break forward that led to the opening goal.
Hotto made no mistake from in front of the target after a neat passage of play and final ball over the top from Collins Makgaka.
AmaZulu looked to respond with a shot from range from Keagan Buchanan that flew wide of Siyabonga Mpontshane in the Bucs goal.
Mpontshane was forced to punch clear a Buchanan set-piece as the first half drew to a close, but not before AmaZulu drew level through a left-footed finish from the lively Tshepang Moremi from close range. He latched onto a knockdown from Memela after Kgotso Moleko’s deep cross.
Pirates brought on Ntsako Makhubela to replace Bandile Shandu at the start of the second half.
And the Buccaneers came racing out the blocks from the restart, and worked the ball well to Makaringe on the right, but his volleyed cross from the right was just overhit.
Makaringe was just then wide with a low strike from the edge of the area, that followed an exciting run by Paseka Mako to get into the box.
Kwame Peprah forced a strong save with 53 minutes played ahead of a Collins Makgaka effort that was comfortably kept out.
De Jong and Memela were wasteful with their efforts before a strong header from De Jong from a Memela free-kick that was inches too high.
Moleko and Siphelele Mthembu came off for Philani Zulu and Lehlohonolo Majoro for Usuthu, while Tembinkosi Lorch was introduced for Makgaka for Pirates – for his first appearance of the season.
AmaZulu were relieved to clear their lines after some Bucs pressure, with first Hotto’s shot blocked by Mothwa before a Lorch cross was met by Peprah that was hacked clear.
Pirates retained the ball for the majority of the remainder of their game, but without being able to find a way through their opponents’ defence.
Hotto wasted another great, late chance from a Lorch ball over the top of the AmaZulu defence, but his square pass to Peprah was rushed.
The final few seconds were frantic, but ultimately without reward, as Mothwa denied Lorch from close range, before the substitute fired into the stands from right in front of the poles.
The result leaves Pirates in seventh place on the league standings with just four wins, and AmaZulu down in eighth, with three wins, and having played a game more.
