Orlando Pirates played to a 1-1 draw against Granada on their return to the Banùs Football Centre on Wednesday night. Following Monday’s victory in Seville, the Soweto Giants were looking to make it two wins against Spanish opposition but faced another stern test against the Andalusian outfit.
They had bright moments early on, despite being largely pinned inside their half, with
Thabiso Lebitso and Thalente Mbatha each sending a shot over the bar inside the opening five minutes. The Spanish side came close to taking the lead in the 10th minute through Pablo Sàenz, who drew a save from Sipho Chaine. The resultant corner led to another close call as Evidence Makgopa intervened to keep out a Miguel Rubio header.
Pirates were the side to break the deadlock with the opener coming in the 19th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi’s piercing pass located an unmarked Gilberto, who produced a composed finish past Marc Martinez to make it 1-0.That lead was however short-lived as the two sides were level once more inside the opening quarter as Shon Weissman pounced on a misplaced pass from Sandile Mthethwa before
turning the ball into the net.
The contest remained at a high tempo for the rest of the first period, and the Buccaneers
could have restored their lead right before the break when Gilberto surged into the box before being bundled into the ground as he set himself up for a shot at goal.
They had to wait a while before their first real chance of the second half which came when
Monnapule Saleng latched onto a wayward pass deep in Granada territory, but the resultant
shot was hit straight at replacement keeper Luca Zidane. The French shot-stopper’s defences were breached moments later by Tshegofatso Mabasa, whose shot was cleared off the line by Pablo Insua.
Kabelo Dlamini fired wide with his curling effort late in the contest, and there was a last-gasp
opportunity for Sérigné Faye at the other end with the Senegalese forward misfiring with his
attempt at goal. It remained level as the final whistle sounded, signalling a second stalemate for the
Buccaneers in Marbella.
Pirates XI: Chaine (Dladla 61’), Ndah (Sesane 61’), Mthethwa (Sibisi 61’), Lebitso (Monyane
61’), Maela (Hotto 61’), Makhaula (Timm 61’), Mbatha (Rasebotja 61’), Saleng (Dlamini 61’),
Maswanganyi (Kimvuidi 61’), Gilberto (Otladisa 61’), Makgopa (Mabasa 22’, Nkota 81’).
