A last-gasp goal from Phumudzo Manenzhe earned Orlando Pirates a lucky 1-1 draw in their Castle Premiership derby against Moroka Swallows played at Ellis Park on Saturday.
There was no score at half-time.
The drama erupted 10 minutes into the second half with the Birds leading 1-0 and Bucs getting a penalty after defender Warren Lewis handled the ball inside his penalty area.
The referee lost control of the situation and allowed Swallows players to argue and bully him. The match was held up for six minutes as Swallows players continued to argue. But after all the drama, goalkeeper Conrad Hendricks easily saved Edelbert Dinha’s weak spot-kick.
Swallows could have been 3-0 ahead at the interval. But poor finishing let the Birds down. No wonder that coach Gavin Hunt was shaking his head in frustration.
Pirates did not look like league leaders or possible champions in an opening 45 minutes in which the Birds dominated. Bucs’ defence also looked suspect.
Birds striker Dennis Lota missed a great chance to put his side ahead in the third minute when he collected a cross from captain Goodman Mazibuko. But the Zambian striker scuffed his shot, which went wide of Bucs’ goal.
The Buccaneers goalkeeper, Francis Chansa, did well to palm a powerful free-kick from Cecil Oerson over his crossbar in the 15th minute as the Birds stormed into attack.
Pirates’ only real attempt on goal came in the 24th minute when goalkeeper Conrad Hendricks did well to block Tyren Arendse from steering home a shot-cum-pass from teammate Felix Musasa.
Swallows midfielder Sam Ngobeni blasted into space when he should have done much better after receiving a pin-point pass from Oersen on 26 minutes.
Then Birds’ Zimbabwean striker Alois Ngwerume lacked composure when he had the goal at his mercy in the 31st minute, but he also hit wide of the target.
Swallows continued to attack after the break. Chansa did well to save a powerful shot from Alfred Phiri after 55 minutes at the expense of a corner. But from the corner, Lota did well to head home a cross from Oerson to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
Then a minute later, Bucs were awarded their controversial penalty. But the conduct of the referee and Swallows players left much to be desired and was not a good advert for the Premier Soccer League.
Bucs should have equalised five minutes from time but Manenzhe headed substitute Jimmy Kauleza’s free kick fractionally wide of the woodwork. But the same striker made amends in injury time when he managed to stab the ball home from close range from another well-taken free kick.
However, the Birds have only themselves to blame after missing so many chances in the first half. – Sapa