Cape Town - Orlando Pirates’ slow start to the 2015/16 Absa Premiership season continued on Tuesday night as they were held to a goalless draw by Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
As it happened - Polokwane City v Orlando Pirates
Ahead of the first leg of their CAF Confederation CupRise and Shine attacked Buccaneers from the start, and just five minutes into the game their captain Jabulani Maluleke forced goalkeeper Felipe Ovono into a decent save.
In the 14th minute, Pirates nearly broke the deadlock after Kermit Erasmus burst into the Polokwane box from the
However, former SuperSport United forward's low cut-back cross went across the Polokwane goal mouth with no Pirates player in the box ready to pounce on the ball.
City midfielder Maluleke unleashed a good shot from the edge of the Pirates box in the 25th minute, but Equatorial Guinea keeper
At the other end, Eric Tinkler's side were struggling to maintain possession in the final third, and they could not create goal scoring opportunities.
It was 0-0 during the half-time break, with Pirates having
The Buccaneers were dealt a major blow 15 minutes into the second-half when their captain Oupa Manyisa was substituted after twisting his ankle, and he was replaced by Menzi Masuku.
Nevertheless, Bucs upped their tempo, and in the 69th minute Sifiso Myeni combined brilliantly with Erasmus outside the box, and the latter forced Polokwane keeper George Chigova into a fine low save.
In the 74th minute, Pirates'
Polokwane substitute Puleng Tlolane nearly grabbed a late goal in the 85th minute, but his shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by Ovono.
Both teams launched late attacks in search of the winning goal. However, it never came, and the league encounter ended goalless on the night.
The draw extended Pirates' winless run to three league matches.