Chiefs, Bucs share spoils

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates had to settle for a share of the spoils when they played to a 1-1 draw at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Kermit Erasmus opened the scoring early in the first half before Kingston Nkhatha found the equaliser just before the half-time break.
 
Both sides had early effort from a distance with Rooi Mahamutsa forcing a low save from Itumeleng Khune in the seventh minute before George Lebese fired just wide of the post a minute later.
 
However, it was the away side who broke the deadlock in the 10th minute as Erasmus volleyed past a helpless Khune from close range, meeting a pinpoint cross from Thabo Matlaba.
 
Six minutes later Bernard Parker had an opportunity from a freekick on the left, but he curled his effort just over Senzo Meyiwa’s goalposts.
 
Erasmus played a great pass to free Daine Klate on the left in the 20th minute, only for the experienced winger to skew his shot wide of the target.
 
Siphiwe Tshabalala almost found the equaliser for Amakhosi six minutes later when he was offered room to offered room to shoot outside the penalty area, but fired his low shot wide of the upright.
 
The hosts eventually leveled matters in the 41st minute as Tshabalala played the ball across for Nkhatha to finish unmarked at the far post.
 
The second half saw less in the way of goalmouth action but Lennox Bacela forced a great save from Khune in the 54th minute as the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper reacted quickly to tip his curled shot over the crossbar.
 
Substitute Sifiso Myeni also had an opportunity to restore Pirates’ lead in the 75th minute, but he sidefooted wide at the far post as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.