Bucs’ Winless Streak Continues, Trailing Sundowns by 15 Points

Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by Polokwane City in a DStv Premiership match at Orlando Stadium on Friday night. The Buccaneers had made two changes to their starting lineup, with Karim Kimvuidi and Miguel Timm replacing Monnapule Saleng and Zakhele Lepasa.

The hosts started the match on the front foot, and nearly conceded in the 9th minute when Hlayisi Chauke latched onto a cross by Tholo Matuludi, but his close-range shot was saved by goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi.

Pirates had a good chance to go ahead on the half-hour mark when Kimvuidi went through on goal, but his low diagonal strike was parried away by shot-stopper Manuel Sapunga. The Buccaneers eventually went ahead just before the interval when Patrick Maswanganyi tucked home a cut-back by Thembinkosi Lorch in the box.

Pirates had a bright start to the second stanza, as Thabiso Monyane had a chance seven minutes after the break with a close-range strike that was saved by Sapunga. However, Given Mashikinya levelled matters for City with 18 minutes to go with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box that sailed into the corner.

The Buccaneers threw in the likes of Lepasa in the closing stages, but they could not create opportunities and were held to a goalless draw, leaving them in 12th position in the DStv Premiership.