Orlando Pirates had their work cut out for them against the Free State Stars at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday and earned a point for their trouble.
Ralf Matema netted in the 10th minute for the hosts, but his early strike was cancelled by Prince Olumu three minutes after the break when Bennet Chenene picked Matema out in the box and the Zimbabwean shot home.
Stars’s keeper Kennedy Mweene seemed to get a hand to the ball but it slid underneath him to give Pirates the lead.
The crowd backed their team with every move and Excellent Walaza got in on the action five minutes later as he tested Mweene with a long-range effort.
Pirates captain Teko Modise controlled the midfield despite being shadowed by Duncan Lechesa and Sipho Nkosi. The latter hacked the South African international down, which spurred enraged coach Owen Da Gama on to the field.
Stars slowly got into the game and their three strikers — Diyo Sibisi, Ruben Cloete and Phillimon Dhladhla — had the Bucs defence chasing shadows. Dhladhla set Sibisi up but the striker was a little late as the ball flew past him in the small box.
Stars looked dangerous on the counter but could not make the best of their counterattacks.
The visitors caught Pirates cold three minutes after the restart.
Dhladhla fended Innocent Mdledle off before crossing the ball in to the 18-area. Olumu was unmarked and shot past a helpless Senzo Meyiwa.
Bucs upped the ante and went looking for another goal as the crowd cheered them on. Modise’s curling free kick from just outside the box stung the palms of Mweene who moved just in time to make a good save.
Stars constantly denied the hosts and at the same time foraged up front, but Destin Makita was resolute in Bucs’s defence and there was no way through for the visitors.
Crowd favourite Lebohang ”Cheesy” Mokoena missed a sitter in the 68th minute. Walaza’s shot went wide but landed at the feet of Mokoena who, just six yards out, tamely shot at goal for Mweene to make an easy save.
Tlou Segolela came on for Mokoena and immediately went on a slalom run that was halted by a well-timed tackle. Pirates pressed hard but could not find a way through as Stars seemed pleased with an away point.
Pirates are third with 21 points, two behind the second-placed Free State team. – Sapa