Orlando Pirates dominated the first half, but were unable to find the breakthrough against Royal AM on Wednesday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-1 Royal AM
Date: 03 May 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro rang the changes ahead of Saturday's Nedbank Cup semi-final against Kaizer Chiefs, as they were starts for Kermit Erasmus, Bandile Shandu, Makhehlene Makhaula and a first start for 17-year-old Relebohile Ratomo.
John Maduka also re-shuffled the Royal AM set up, as Happy Jele was re-called against his former employers while Sydney George replaced Mxolisi Macuphu in the attack after the loss to Cape Town City.
The home side were looking to continue their winning streak and they nearly got off to the perfect when Deon Hotto could struck crossbar from six yards out on 16 minutes, while Erasmus saw his goal-bound strike cleared off the line by Jabulani Ncobeni minutes later after a defensive error.
Riveiro's charges were camped in the Royal AM half for most of the first stanza and Pirates were nearly gifted a goal on 38 by an error from goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto's failure to hold on to the ball, but the hosts were unable to capitalise in the box.
At the other end, it proved to be a relatively quiet opening 45 minutes for Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine as the visitors failed to mount any serious attempts at goal, which was evident by the fact that they had one corner.
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Relebohile Ratomo was influential on his debut for Orlando Pirates, who defeated Royal AM 1-0 to edge closer to securing spot on Wednesday afternoon.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second half and were rewarded with the breakthrough on 56 minutes when Ratomo's shot from distance took a big deflection off Elias Pelembe and sailed into the back of the net for the own goal.
Royal AM almost hit back straight away when George was slipped through on goal, however the striker was unable to find away past Chaine, who rushed off his line to make the save in a one-on-one situation.
That proved to be George's final involvement as he made way along with Pelembe, as Maduka introduced Thikazi and Motebang Sera, just moments before Hotto made way for top scorer Monnapule Saleng for the final 25 minutes of the half.
Saleng's arrival nearly brought upon the second goal with 12 minutes left as the skillful winger cut in from the right flank and took aim from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed wide of the mark.
Pirates were made to rue all those missed chances in the game, as former Buccaneer Menzi Masuku popped up in second-half stoppage time to head past Chaine and secure a point for Royal AM.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 39. Mthethwa, 26. Shandu, 29. Mako, 34. Makhaula, 15. Ndlondlo, 38. Ratomo, 7. Hotto, 11. Makaringe, 95. Erasmus
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 45. Pule, 37. Dzvukamanja, 9. Nga, 27. Xoki, 16. Monare, 14. Saleng, 6. Motshwari, 2. Monyane
Royal AM: 25. Mpoto, 4. Jele, 14. Matlaba, 13. Manganyi, 7. Pelembe, 42. Ncobeni, 26. Magaqa, 11. Potsane, 29. Sikakane, 17. Mogalia, 45. George
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 50. Masuku, 38. Mashiane, 24. Lingwati, 44. Dube, 34. Thikazi, 33. Sera, 6. Kobedi, 9. Macuphu
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