Orlando Pirates had to settle for a solitary point in their penultimate home fixture of the season after they were held to a 1-1 draw by TS Galaxy. The two sides crossed paths once more in the Betway Premiership, with their latest clash taking place at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
It was a first draw at home for the Buccaneers, who fell seconds short of making it two wins in as many games after conceding late, while the Rockets concluded their season with a crucial point that could go some way in securing a coveted top-eight spot.
A lively start to Saturday’s contest saw both sides advancing deep inside opposition territory in the opening five minutes. Only Pirates were able to get a shot away however, with Tshegofatso Mabasa finding the side netting after peeling off his marker inside the box following the game’s first set piece.
Such moments proved few and far between throughout the first half, with Bucs keeper Sipho Chaine and his opposite number Ira Tapé only tasked with pulling off routine saves. Galaxy’s only real opportunity in the opening quarter came off the boot of Kamogelo Sebelebele in the 13th minute, but he failed to trouble the Pirates shot stopper.
Deon Hotto was greeted by a similar result around the half-hour mark when his effort from a free kick in front of goal met a deflection on its way to the Ivorian keeper, who also managed a relatively comfortable save to keep things goalless.
Attempts to liven up proceedings at both ends proved futile, but the visitors nearly came away with a goal in the dying moments of the first half when Victor Letsoalo headed over after connecting with a set piece delivered into the box by Siphesihle Maduna.
A goalmouth scramble kicked off the second half with Bandile Shandu denied from inches away from the goal line after working himself into a scoring position inside the Galaxy penalty area. Patrick Maswanganyi had an opportunity of his own on the hour mark as the Buccaneers continued to probe, but misplaced his effort.
The hosts’ persistence eventually paid off with Shandu tapping in to put his side in the lead after connecting with a cutback from Mohau Nkota, following a move sparked off just outside the penalty area by Relebohile Mofokeng.
Pirates immediately went in search of their second, but could not unlock their visitors’ defence. There was action at the other end meanwhile, with Keagan Dolly threatening with an attempt from range but failing to place his shot on target.
The two sides traded shots at goal as the clock wound down, with Hotto managing to draw a save from Tapé in the 86th minute. Replacement Bucs keeper Melusi Buthelezi also had some work to do in injury time, keeping out Letsoalo’s header from close range.