Pirates and Polokwane play to entertaining draw in Orlando

By SABC Sport
27th October 2023

Orlando Pirates failed to put Polokwane City away at Orlando Stadium on Friday night, as the visitors earned a 1-1 draw in their DStv Premiership clash.

The Buccaneers led 1-0 at the break, but ultimately let a spirited Polokwane City back into clash with a second-half wondergoal.

It was the visitors that enjoyed the brighter start, forcing a save from Pirates gloveman Melusi Buthelezi early on, preventing what would have been a tap-in for Hlayisi Chauke after a low cross.

But the Buccaneers collected themselves and managed to swing momentum the other way. A series of corner-kicks provided plenty of action but no goals as Pirates kept the visitors under pressure.

They would finally grab the lead in the 39th minute via the educated boot of Patrick Maswanganyi. Teammates Miguel Timm and the ever-present Thembinkosi Lorch combined in the midfield to put Maswanganyi in space in centre of the area, where he made no mistake.

In the second stanza, Pirates would remain camped down in the Polokwane half until midfielder Given Mashikinya produced a moment of magic to level proceedings in the 72nd minute. Finding himself in space at the top of the box, Mashikinya unleashed a left-footed curler that evaded the diving Buthelezi, sending the travelling fans into rapture.

Both sides had chances to clinch it at the death. A slick move by the hosts had the defence scrambling, but they failed to get a decent shot at goal.

Polokwane, meanwhile, earned a corner that was well cleared by a diving defender. But the most clear-cut chance to steal a result came with the last play of the match. Deep in his own half, Mokibelo Ramabu saw space and launched it for a streaming Oswin Appollis, who met the ball at the same time as a rushing Buthelezi for a dramatic end.