Orlando Pirates came back from 2-0 down to score twice in the last seven minutes of their Castle Premiership game against Santos at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
The two teams shared spoils. Santos led 2-0 at half-time. Santos went straight on the attack and came close in the 14th minute. Tyrone Arendse’s shot from the edge of the box hit the upright.
Five minute later, Jean Marc-Ithier’s shot just went past the upright. Pirates, who were under pressure from the home side, were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute when Kamaal Saait brought down Hleza Mofedi in the box.
James Mothibi’s penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Brenden Wardle, who brilliantly, dived to his left.
Santos finally scored in the 25th minute. Pirates’ keeper Thabang Radebe fumbled Marawaan Bantam’s powerful shot and the ball trickled over the line.
Mxolisi Mchunu broke through but his shot hit the upright in the 31st minute.
Santos, who enjoyed home ground advantage, doubled the score in the 42nd minute when Arendse’s long throw in was headed on by Ithier to Bantam, who easily headed home.
Pirates came out fighting and kept Santos’ defenders under severe pressure in the second half.
They started stringing excellent passes together over did it and in the process they kept losing the ball as they approached the penalty box.
The visitors were unlucky in the 77th minute when Patrick Thwala’s corner kick from the right hit the far upright and the ball came out.
Pirates pulled one back in the 83rd minute when late substitute Joseph Makhanya scored.
Striker Jimmy Khauleza, another late substitute, lived up to the expectations when he levelled matters with a header in the 89th minute. – Sapa