Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw in a 2020-21 DStv Premiership match at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Both goals came within the opening 20 minutes with Bongani Sam’s opener quickly cancelled out by Masilake Phohlongo. The result leaves Pirates in fifth, five points behind the league leaders while Galaxy move up one place to 12th.
The Buccaneers got off to the perfect start. Eye-catching interplay exposed Galaxy’s defence and offered Fortune Makaringe time and space to pick out an unmarked Sam, who powered an unstoppable left-footed shot into the back of the net in the 11th minute, for his first Pirates goal.
Their lead would last only nine minutes as Phohlongo pulled the two teams level on his Rockets debut. Luckyboy Mokoena teed up the former Ajax Cape Town midfielder with a pin-point cross and having timed his run to perfection, Phohlongo guided his header attempt into the ground and past Richard Ofori for his first top-flight goal since November 2017.
Both teams had chances to win the match in the second-half with Mlungisi Mbunjana and Thembinkosi Lorch going close from range, but Deon Hotto came closest in the 69th minute.
The Namibia international used his blistering pace to burst past Gerald Modisane and the Pirates winger had Marlon Heugh beaten with his resulting attempt at goal, but the ball cannoned off the woodwork and out of danger.
Pirates return to league action at home to Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday while Galaxy will travel to Thohoyandou for a match against Black Leopards on the same day.
Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Sam 11′)TS Galaxy (1) 1 (Phohlongo 20′)TEAMS:
Orlando Pirates:Ofori; Sam (Mntambo 90′), Maela, Hlatshwayo, Jele, Monare, Motshwari (Mundele 70′), Makaringe, Tshobeni (Pule 46′), Hotto, Lorch.
TS Galaxy:Heugh; Aubaas (Nduli 83′), Modisane, Fransman, Mokoena (Msimango 83′), Mahlangu, Mbunjana, Phohlongo (Bodibe 61′), Mbatha, Lekay (Badenhorst 70′) , Macuphu.© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
