Bucs

Thamsanqa Gabuza scored a brace as Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City played to a 2-2 stalemate in an Absa Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.

The burly forward with a 92nd minute equaliser after Rise and Shine had hit the front following an eight-minute blitz.

Rendani Ndou and Rodney Ramagalela with the goals for the hosts, who remain in 14th place on the log standings. Pirates sit in fourth place.

The Buccaneers made their intentions clear from the onset as Gabuza ghosted in behind the Rise and Shine defence before a stinging shot at goal, his effort well saved by Harold Ndlovu in the sixth minute.

The Polokwane City goal-minder was at it again six minutes later, this time to keep out Mpho Makola. The midfielder’s free-kick traveled up and over the wall, but the shot-stopper was up to the task to clear from danger.

Gabuza was a constant threat for the Sea Robbers, but the burly forward lacked composure as he guided his header attempt wide of goal in the 27th minute after finding a pocket of space inside the penalty area.

At the other end of the pitch, the hosts finally conjured a chance as Puleng Tlolane fired a rasping effort over Wayne Sandilands crossbar nine minutes later.

Goalless at the break.

Ndlovu, who replaced George Chigova in the starting 11 following a late injury to the Zimbabwean, started the second stanza like he did the first. The goalkeeper alert to deny Innocent Maela a tap-in.

Gabuza finally found his range in the 51st minute as he finished off a free-flowing move – tapping in live wire Thembinkosi Lorch pin-point cross.

Pirates, though, switched off soon after as City grabbed the lead following two quick-fire goals within the space of eight minutes.

Sandilands punished for a poor clearance as Polokwane City launched a swift attack, beautifully constructed and expertly finished by Ndou in the 61st minute.

Abbubaker Mobara was then guilty in the 69th minute as he coughed up possession in a dangerous position. Ramagalela with the finish as he continued his good start to the season.

City, though, would be denied all three points as Gabuza completed his brace in stoppage time. The forward nodding home Musa Nyatama’s Hail Mary pass into the area – to extend City’s winless run.

Polokwane City (0) 2 (Ndou 61′ Ramagalela 69′)

Orlando Pirates (0) 2 (Gabuza 51′ 90+2′)

Polokwane City: Ndlovu; Ravhuhali, Semenya, Tshilo, Maponyane, Ndou, Seabi, Maluleke (Mbonani 76′), Phiri, Ramagalela (Mngomezulu 83′), Tlolane (Musona 63′)

Orlando Pirates: Sandilands; Nyauza, Mobara (Rakhale 83′), Jele, Dube, Makola, Nyatama, Maela, Qalinge (Morrison 77′), Lorch (Shonga 67′), Gabuza