Pirates frustrated by Polokwane

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 Cup semifinal against Al Ahly on Saturday evening, this was not the result Eric Tinkler would have been hoping for.

The Buccaneers found it difficult to break down Rise and Shine's solid defence, and they resorted to long-range efforts which were easily dealt with by the goalkeeper.

Rise 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 left, and dribbled past keeper George Chigova.

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 Ovono was well positioned to make a decent save.

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 failed make a single shot on target.

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' long range specialist Mpho Makola cut inside from the left and forced Chigova into a great save after receiving a good pass from Thabo Matlaba.

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.