Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United played to a 2-2 draw in an Absa Premiership fixture at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The halftime score was 0-0.
SuperSport had an opportunity to score in the opening minute when Kingston Nkhatha was through, but Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo saved well. The keeper could only manage to parry the ball, but, on the rebound, Dove Wome fired over the bar.
Pirates then bounced back nicely from that early scare, with chances to Tendai Ndoro and Sifiso Miyeni. Thabo Matlaba also, in his usual, inimitable long range fashion, had a chance to score, but SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was equal to the task with a good save.
A few minutes before halftime, Pirates had two more opportunities, but Matlaba shot wide and Ndoro also squandered an opening.
A minute into the second half, SuperSport coach took off David Mathebula and brought on New Zealand striker, Jeremie Brockie. Soon after, Thuso Phala provided the pass for Nkhatha, but the Zimbabwean striker hit his effort over the bar.
Both teams continued in search of goal, with Ndoro missing again and SuperSport’s Mario Booysen stabbing a header over.
In the 66th minute, Pirates’ Thabo Rakhale produced a magnificent curling shot that looked headed for the top corner, but Williams, in fantastic acrobatic style, tipped the ball for a corner. From the resultant corner, though, the Soweto side took the lead. A poor clearance from SuperSport saw the ball fall to Miyeni, who tucked a delicious volley into the net – even the brilliant Williams couldn’t deny the Pirates winger.
SuperSport took off Wome in the 73rd minute, bringing on Bradley Grobler. It proved to be an inspired substitution when, five minutes later, Brockie got clear, crossed, and Grobler was at hand to tuck in and make the score 1-1.
Pirates were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute, when Matlaba was fouled by Phala, and Mpho Makola stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
Just when it appeared that Pirates would register the victory, SuperSport snatched a point when Denwin Farmer netted a late goal to level matters at 2-2.
Africa Sports
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