Orlando Pirates held to 1-1 draw by AmaZulu in Betway Premiership

Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership at a cold Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

Tshepang Moremi gave Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side an early advantage, but Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya’s penalty ensured AmaZulu went into half-time level and neither team could find a winner after the break.

The result left Pirates having to settle for a share of the points after they had threatened to take control of the match on several occasions. AmaZulu, meanwhile, showed resilience after falling behind and created opportunities of their own during an evenly contested second half.

The Buccaneers made two changes to their starting line-up from their previous match. Sihle Nduli and Ghampani Lungu came into the team, replacing Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis.

AmaZulu also altered their starting XI twice, with Sandile Mthethwa and Siyanda Hlangabeza coming in for Keegan Allan and Gape Moralo.

Pirates made the brighter start and took the lead when Moremi reacted quickest inside the area. He fired the ball into the net after AmaZulu goalkeeper had kept out Yanela Mbuthuma’s close-range attempt.

AmaZulu struggled to build sustained attacking pressure during the early stages, producing few clear opportunities in front of goal. Pirates nearly extended their advantage in the 21st minute, when Mbuthuma’s effort from the edge of the penalty area was blocked by the home defence.

Arthur Zwane’s team then began to make more progress in the Buccaneers’ half. Although AmaZulu were increasingly able to move forward, they found it difficult to find a way through a well-organised Pirates defence.

The hosts appeared to have equalised a few minutes later when Mlondi Mbanjwa scored, but the goal was ruled out for offside after the linesman raised the flag.

AmaZulu were given another chance to level the contest just before half-time. Kamogelo Sebelebele fouled Mbanjwa inside the penalty area, giving the home side a spot-kick on the stroke of the interval.

Ngwenya kept his composure from 12 yards and converted the penalty to send the teams into the break at 1-1.

AmaZulu returned for the second half with greater confidence and attempted to keep Pirates under pressure. Despite the home side’s positive approach, the opening period after the restart remained closely fought, with neither team able to establish a clear advantage.

Pirates became the more dangerous side as the match progressed, particularly after making several changes. One of those introduced was key player Appollis, who had initially been left out of the starting line-up.

AmaZulu came close to taking the lead in the 69th minute following a well-constructed attacking move. The chance fell to Ngwenya, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the target.

Pirates then had an excellent opportunity to regain the advantage through Mbuthuma. The forward’s close-range effort beat the goalkeeper but struck the post, before the Usuthu defence responded quickly to clear the danger.

Neither side could produce a decisive finish in the closing stages. With no further goals at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium, the points were shared.