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A lethargic Orlando Pirates couldn’t get out of the first gear, barely deserving a 1-1 DStv Premiership draw against Baroka FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday that was rescued by Tshegofatsho Mabasa’s late goal.
Baroka’s substitute Ananias Gebhardt had benefited from Bucs goalkeeper Richard Ofori taking a free kick, the Namibian putting his team ahead shortly after the 47 minute restart.
The pirates, flat all afternoon, barely created a chance in response for most of the second half, until the great substitute forward Mabasa, in the 61st minute for Linda Mntambo, tied a minute in overtime.
The result saw the Bucs, along with Mamelodi Sundowns, a combination seemingly billed as early-season favorites to fight for the title, extend through the skin of their teeth a 10-game unbeaten streak dating back to the season. pass.
The Pirates were flat in their work pace and sloppy in their passing and possession play, giving the ball away with ease and failing to stamp their authority in midfield, allowing Baroka to run towards them fairly regularly.
Baroka entered the game with the kind of solid start under coach Thoka Matsemela of two draw wins and one loss in four games that threatened to be a roadblock for the Pirates. For a laborious, if unspectacular performance, they came close to stealing all the points.
Bucs, showing signs under Josef Zinnbauer of an already strong combination that turned into ominous form with the addition of strong off-season signings, coming off four league and cup victories in a row, would have felt they had made a bad change in Orlando. .
Neither team hit a slow-paced first half.
He had to wait until the 21st minute for the first angry shot to come from Baroka winger Tshiamo Masiya, with Richard Ofori taking it quite comfortably despite an awkward rebound.
The Pirates’ first opportunity came shortly after half an hour. With a throw-in from the left, Terrence Dzvukamanja was able to turn and feed Zakhele Lepasa, who fired wide.
On the best chance of the half, Siphesihle Ndlovu shot from the left of the area for Lepasa to head hard.
Having finished the first half strong, the pirates would have liked to come out of the locker room pressing for an even greater advantage.
A maintenance error, though, by Ofori just a minute into the second half, allowed Baroka to take the lead. The Ghanaian faced an innocuous free kick from the right by Nhlanhla Mgaga ‚and spilled it directly at Gebhardt’s feet, five minutes before the end of the first half for Cheslyn Jampies, who entered happily.
The pirates’ response in granting should have been to find some fire in their game. Instead, it was Baroka striker Kgodiso Monama who came within inches of scoring 2-0 from range to the left post.
Bucs hadn’t been able to create the necessary opportunities in the second half that could have seen them fight for a win.
However, a minute after extra time, right-back Wayde Jooste crossed from deep, Deon Hotto at the far post connected back to middle, and Mabasa was available to take the last-gasp tie, when Bucs at least saved a tie.
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