Orlando Pirates blew a chance of going to the top of the Castle Premiership when they drew 1-1 against fellow title chasers Ajax Cape Town in a bad-tempered league clash played at the Johannesburg Stadium on Sunday.
The teams were level 1-1 at half-time.
Both teams finished the match with 10 men. Ajax had their striker Winfred Mugeyi sent off by referee Harry Lekitlane in the 67th minute. Then Bucs had their captain and defensive kingpin Papi Khomane red-carded for a second bookable offence in the 82nd minute.
Pirates drew first blood when Edelbert Dinha rose above the Ajax defence to head home an inch-perfect cross from Steve Lekoelea to give the home side a 1-0 lead after 32 minutes.
Pirates looked in control but gave away a bad goal in the 45th minute. A poor back pass from Bucs captain Papi Khomane was intercepted by former Pirates star Joseph Ngake, who had an easy job of netting the equaliser from close range.
After Mugeyi was sent for an early shower the match deteriorated into a scrappy, ill-tempered affair.
However, both sides had chances to win it late in the game. The Buccaneers South African under-23 midfielder Gift Leremi forced Ajax ‘keeper Moeneeb Josephs to make a stunning save in the 86th minute. But the same player missed a chance to score a minute later.
Then it was the turn of Bucs substitute Lebohang Mokoena to fire a shot at Josephs when he had the goal at his mercy. At the other end Ajax striker Tshola Tshinyama missed an easy chance when he hit the ball wide after having the goal at his mercy in the referee’s optional time. — Sapa