PIRATES FAIL TO GET BETTER OF SUNDOWNS
Absa Premiership league leaders Orlando Pirates failed to get the better of Mamelodi Sundowns as they played to a goalless draw at Loftus stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The match started at a frantic pace with Sundowns creating the first chance on goal in the first minute when Andile Jali played Jeremy Brockie into space ten-yards out, but he skewed his shot inches wide of the target.
Seven minutes later Pirates had their first attempt on goal, but Thabiso Kutumela saw his powerful shot from the edge of the box superbly saved by Denis Onyango.
In the 11th minute Lyle Lakay almost broke the deadlock, but his 22-yard thunderbolt shaved the wrong side of the Buccaneers crossbar.
Four minutes later Sundowns suffered a bit of a set-back as Jali had to leave the field with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Tiyani Mabunda.
The next decent effort on goal only came on the half hour mark when Gaston Sirino worked himself into space 18-yards out, but his stinging shot was well-saved by the Pirates keeper.
Pirates had the last real say of the half when Justin Shonga went for goal from a 22-yard free-kic, but his effort curled inches wide of the target.
The half ended 0-0.
The first decent chance of the second half fell to Lebohang Maboe eight minutes after the restart when he cut inside the from the flank, but his 16-yard shot went just wide the post.
Sundowns substitute Phakamani Mahlambi came close to opening the scoring just after the hour mark when he beat two defenders on his way into the box, but his close-range shot was brilliantly stopped by the Pirates keeper.
In the 80th minute Thapelo Morena broke into the box from the right flank, but Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane was quickly off his line to deny him.
Both teams threw players forward in the final ten minutes of the match, but neither could find the winner as the game ended all-square.
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0
Orlando Pirates (0) 0
Teams:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Nacimento, Lebusa, Langerman, Jali (Mabunda 14’), Kekana, Maboe (Zwane 85’), Lakay, Sirino, Brockie (Mahlambi 61’).
Orlando Pirates: Mpontshane, Jele, Munetsi, Mbekile, Maela, Motshwari, Mlambo, Pule (Qalinge 78’), Lorch, Kutumela (Mulenga 66’), Shonga (Mntambo 86’).
