Orlando Pirates’ DStv Premiership season ended with an underwhelming 0-0 draw against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, though the result was enough for the Soweto side to secure African club football for next season.
The Buccaneers came home third on the log table to secure a ticket back into the CAF Confederation Cup for 2021-22, while Vhadau Vha Damani ended in 12th place – a fine achievement in their debut top-flight campaign.
Pirates looked the more lively team early on and had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when it appeared that Vincent Pule had been bundled over in the 18-yard area.
Pule threatened again on 18 minutes when he was played into a fine scoring position by Wayde Jooste, but the attacker dragged his shot wide of goalkeeper Washington Arubi’s left-hand post.
Tshakhuma offered a sporadic threat on the counter attack, with Thabo Mnyamane almost capitalising in the 37th minute, but his hopes were denied by quick movement off his line from Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands.
The hosts’ ‘keeper made another important intervention as the halftime interval neared, ensuring Thembisani Nevhulamba was unable to latch onto a failed clearance from inside the penalty area, to see the sides locked at 0-0 at the midway point.
TTM made a change at the start of the second half by withdrawing Brendon Mokgope and introducing Brandon Theron, but the Buccaneers held sway from the early minutes after the interval.
On 57 minutes Frank Mhango saw an effort blocked by a defender before Deon Hotto got on the end of the loose ball and shot at goal with an overhead kick, only for Arubi to be well placed and make a comfortable save.
Bucs had the ball in the back of the net in the 70th minute, but Mhango was flagged for offside, while two minutes later Maela had a chance from close range after a set piece, but Arubi did brilliantly to deny the Pirates man.
The hosts had further chances for the likes of Terrence Dzvukamanja and Kabelo Dlamini, but Tshakhuma were able to hold out and end the season with a creditable draw away to the Soweto giants.
Orlando Pirates 0
Tshakhuma TM 0
Pirates: Sandilands, Jooste, Nyauza, Jele, Maela, Motshwari (Zungu 72’), Makaringe, Lorch (Dlamini 72’), Hotto (Dzvukamanja 61’), Pule, Mhango
Tshakhuma: Arubi, Ndengane, Thangwane, Mabotja, Maphangule, Mokgope (Theron 46’), Mpambansio (Rakhale 76’), Madhanga (Nedzamba 63’), Molangoane, Mnyamane (Ndlondlo 63’), Nevhulamba (Ngema 62’)
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
