Orlando Pirates Reserves endured a frustrating start to their DStv Diski Challenge campaign as they played to a goalless draw against AmaZulu in their game played at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
Following a lengthy lay-off of nearly four months, the two sides dusted off the cobwebs by
delivering a lively contest to kick off the 2024/25 season. Looking to hit the ground running at the start of their campaign, the visitors maintained a high tempo throughout the opening 10 minutes but failed to create any real opportunities.
Striker Simphiwe Masilela had the best chance during that period when he was played in
through the middle, but a heavy first touch resulted in a save from Usuthu goalkeeper Enrique Erasmus. That remained the theme for much of the opening quarter as the young Buccaneers dominated possession without doing much in the final third. The hosts meanwhile grew into the game and made a couple of entries into Bucs territory where Bayanda Thabede managed to draw a save from Ethan Visagie in the 18th minute before firing wide from a set piece just moments later.
At the other end, Usuthu continued to frustrate the visitors who made several forays into
opposition territory without finding the decisive touch. The breakthrough eluded both sides for the duration of the first half before Pirates emerged from the tunnel with even more vigour as they looked to edge ahead.
They had a few chances to take the lead early in the second period with midfielder Kabelo Moagi getting his first sight of the AmaZulu goal when he found himself unmarked on the edge of the box before his firmly-struck shot was kept out by Erasmus. This was followed by a 57th-minute free kick right in front of goal, taken by skipper Mbekezeli Mbokazi whose shot went just inches over the crossbar. Pressure remained on the hosts’ defence as just two minutes later, Seth Green worked his way into space out on the right before sending the ball rolling across goal with an effort from a tight angle.
Visagie was called upon a few times in the second half, and made a fine save just after the
hour mark diving low to his right to keep out a shot from Siphosenkosi Ngubane. The momentum however remained with the Buccaneers as substitutes Mehluleli Maphumulo and Cemran Dansin each had a chance at goal without affecting the scoreboard.
A desperate charge for a late winner nearly yielded results for the Soweto Giants in injury
time when a powerful strike from Ciniso Mazibuko was kept out by Erasmus, who produced
an acrobatic save to keep things level.
That underlined a disappointing morning for the Bucs Reserves, who had to settle for a
solitary point to start the season.
Pirates Reserves XI: Visagie, Mbokazi, Ralenkoane, Selepe, Madalane, Moagi (Dansin
66’), Ngwenya, Green (Maphumulo 68’), Mazibuko, Masilela, Msezane (Ngobeni 88’)
