A top-of-the-table Absa Premiership clash between Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
Not only was this a match between two unbeaten sides, but also a match between two teams with several links — the Wits side contained former Pirates goalkeeper Francis Chansa and the on-loan
Michael Morton, while for Bucs, Benson Mhlongo, Gert Schalkwyk and Moeneeb Josephs had all represented the Clever Boys earlier in their careers.
It was a game of two halves, with the first stanza belonging almost exclusively to the Buccaneers, whose status as genuine league title challengers appears to be gaining momentum with every game that passes.
After a bright start to the game, Bucs were given the opportunity to draw first blood in the 21st minute when Gift Shabalala hacked down Teko Modise just inside the box.
Referee Jerome Damon had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and free-scoring defender Lucas Thwala made no mistake, despite Francis Chansa getting a hand to the ball.
Schalkwyk then had two chances as the pressure continued to come from Pirates, but he shot wide in the 24th minute and straight at Chansa nine minutes later.
The Students had an opportunity to equalise just before the break when a cross was deflected kindly into Calvin Kadi’s path, but his powerful header brought a stunning save from Josephs, who looked determined to keep his side’s record of not having conceded a goal in the league this season, intact.
Wits, however, started to play themselves back into the match in the second half and, when substitute Thando Mngomeni came on, they started to play with more purpose and confidence.
And, in the 65th minute, the Clever Boys levelled the game when Sifiso Myeni cut in from the left and picked out Kadi with an inch-perfect cross.
Kadi gratefully accepted the invitation, catching Thwala out of position as he volleyed home from six yards out at the back post for his seventh league goal of the season.
The match remained an intriguing contest for the balance of the game and as both teams searched for a winner, the game opened up.
Wits almost sneaked a win in injury time when Myeni’s cross took a wicked bounce and nearly bounced over Josephs’ head, but the Pirates goal minder did superbly to back pedal and tip the ball to
safety, ensuring the point for Ruud Krol’s side.
The result leaves Wits in third position, while Pirates keep their top spot, above SuperSport United. – Sapa