Orlando Pirates' hopes of finishing second suffered a blow after being held to a 1-1 draw by Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-1 Sekhukhune United
Date: 13 May 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Buccaneers head coach Jose Riveiro made a couple changes from the Nedbank Cup triumph over Kaizer Chiefs, Makhuala came in for Miguel Timm, while Sandile Mthethwa replaced Sibisi in defence.
The visitors, meanwhile, handed starts to Pirates loanee Tshegofatso Mabasa, Katlego Mkhabela, Tresor Yamba Tshibwabwa and Sibusiso Vilakazi following their cup exploits last weekend.
Mabasa looked to make the most of his opportunity against his parent club and went close to breaking the deadlock for Sekhukhune on 13 minutes with a header that sailed wide of the upright.
Pirates took control thereafter as they went in search of an opening goal, with Paseko Mako and Thabang Monare firing wide with their respective efforts after 20 minutes.
The home side got their reward in the 31st minute when Monnapule Saleng did well to pick out Terrence Dzvukamanja, who glanced home header for his seventh league goal of the campaign.
However, Sekhukhune got back on level terms seven minutes before the break when former Buccaneer Edwin Gyimah nodded home from close range after Pirates failed to deal with a corner.
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Riveiro's charges dominated after the halftime break as they looked to restore their lead, but they were let down by their decision-making in the final third as Sekhukhune looked content to just sit back.
When Pirates did manage to get past the Sekhukhune defence, they found goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangaré who produced a superb save to keep out Kermit Erasmus' deflected effoer after the hour mark.
Riveiro responded with a triple change on 67 minutes as Fortune Makaringe, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Thabiso Monyane replaced Monare, Kabelo Dlamini and Hotto in the midfield.
Pirates went agonisinglyc lose to re-taking the lead in the 75th minute when Dzvukamanja showed great chest control from a cross before unleashing bicycle kick that crash against the upright.
Elias Mokwana, who scored in the reverse fixture, nearly snatched all the spoils for Sekhukhune on 90 minutes when he weaved his way into the box, however he skewed his effort well wide from close range.
That proved to be the final opening as Pirates had to settle for a share of the spoils and will now go into the final game level points with third-place SuperSport United, who beat Kaizer CHiefs.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 39. Mthethwa, 29. Mako, 36. Makhaula, 16. Monare, 18. Dlamini, 37. Dzvukamanja, 14. Saleng, 95. Erasmus
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 9. Nga, 38. Ratomo, 17. Makgopa, 15. Ndlondlo, 11. Makaringe, 5. Sibisi, 6. Motshwari, 2. Monyane
Sekhukhune United: 30. Sangare, 29. Tshibwabwa, 43. Zulu, 4. Cardoso, 39. Gyimah, 24. Mokotjo, 27. Mkhabela, 6. Mashikinya, 34. Ohizu, 50. Vilakazi, 9. Mabasa
Subs: 32. Mtsweni, 35. Mahlangu, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya, 25. Farmer, 18. Seabi, 21. Letsoalo, 17. Mokwana, 10. Shai, 20. Masiya
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