Have Orlando Pirates blown their title chances?

Orlando Pirates came from behind twice to rescue a point as their Betway Premiership encounter with Richards Bay finished in a 2-2 stalemate at uMhlathuze Stadium on Friday night.

It was far from an ideal result for the Buccaneers, who missed an opportunity to climb to the top of the league table with a three-pointer.

Half a dozen fixtures remaining

They remained in second place, one point behind the log leaders, with only half a dozen games remaining in the campaign.

Having steamrolled their last two opponents in the Betway Premiership, the Soweto giants set their sights on the Natal Rich Boyz who had their own tails up after a hard-fought home victory in midweek.

In front of a sell-out crowd in uMhlathuze, it was the visitors who looked to land the first blow when Kamogelo Sebelebele forced goalkeeper Ian Otieno into action three minutes from the first whistle.

Richards Bay did not sit back as they opted to also surge forward in search of an early breakthrough which they found in spectacular fashion with only 10 minutes played, drawing first blood through Thulani Gumede who pounced on a loose ball following a poor clearance from the Bucs defence.

Orlando Pirates’ response was initially disjointed without many clear chances at goal, save for an 18th minute attempt from Thalente Mbatha whose long-range stinger was kept out by Otieno.

Fired wide

They found some rhythm late in the first period with Yanela Mbuthuma getting a header on target but finding no way past the Natal Rich Boyz shot-stopper, just before firing wide from outside the box.

Some excellent work on the left from Relebohile Mofokeng nearly resulted in an opening as he looked to square one towards Oswin Appollis, who failed to get the necessary connection to direct the ball on target.

It summed up a scrappy first half performance from the visitors, and that frustration seemed to follow them into the first period as Masindi Nemtajela struck a shot from range straight at Otieno.

The breakthrough was not too far off however, and it arrived seven minutes after the restart when a Mofokeng cross from the left evaded all inside the box except an unmarked Appollis who had no issues firing home from close range.

Having restored parity, the two sides traded shots at goal with each landing off target as Richards Bay striker Lundi Mahala got on the end of a threatening counter before firing wide in the 54th minute.

Deon Hotto produced a similar result three minutes later when he went direct from a Bucs set piece.

Decisive effort

The home side would find the target with their next shot when they surged forward once more just before the hour mark.

The decisive effort came off the boot of midfielder Lindokuhle Zikhali, who was located by Sanele Barns before striking to put his side back in front.

After taking the lead, the Natal Rich Boyz were content with closing up shop while the Buccaneers rang the changes, bringing on Evidence Makgopa, Andre de Jong, and Patrick Maswanganyi at different stages of the final half hour.

The trio was heavily involved in the search for the equaliser, but the opposition defence would not budge for much of the contest’s latter stages.

In the thick of things

Makgopa had a late charge inside the penalty area, producing a powerful right-footed shot which brushed the crossbar on its way out for a goal kick.

He was again in the thick of things in the 90th minute when caught the rebound off a fumble from Otieno and found the net, but the goal was disallowed as the referee deemed De Jong’s challenge on the shot-stopper illegal.

The Buccaneers did not relent, and were rewarded halfway through injury time when defender Lebone Seema pulled off a stunner from outside the box to make it 2-2.

The seconds ticked away as Orlando Pirates pushed for a late winner but the ticking clock proved to be a challenge as there would be no further drama, with Richards Bay clinging on to force a share of the spoils.