Orlando Pirates were unable to return to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after a 1-1 draw against Moroka Swallows on Wednesday evening.
Bafana Bafana trio Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki and Patrick Maswanganyi slotted right back in the Buccaneers’ starting line-up following the defeat to Sekhukhune United.
Swallows enjoyed a big opening in the first minute as the Buccaneers battled to keep shape, but ended up hitting the crossbar via the boot of Letsie Koapeng.
In response, the visitors pushed to the fore after a while and a long-range drive by Relebohile Mofokeng sailed narrowly off the mark.
The Dube Birds contained all the pressure and hit the front minutes to the half-hour mark through a smartly taken finish from Lindokuhle Mtshali after a poor clearance from Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Former Pirates forward Letsie Koapeng almost added a second goal for Swallows with a delivery from out wide a minute inside the closing stages, but Chaine produced a stop.
Pirates were revived after a tense period and saw Tshegofatso Mabasa head in the side-netting following a loose ball by Kabelo Dlamini’s rasping shot.
The Buccaneers came out guns blazing in the second half in pursuit of the equaliser and had Daniel Akpeyi dive across the area to smother Miguel Timm’s long-range strike.
Maswanganyi came up eight minutes from the break and levelled when he made a late entry in the six-yard area to tuck in Thabiso Lebitso’s reverse pass.
Pirates nearly had a second a few minutes later after Thalente Mbatha finished off a close-range move, but it was called off for offside.
With matters level, the Buccaneers made a change around the 67th minute and introduced Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo in place of Miguel Timm.
Swallows sat deep late on, invited pressure and looked to play on the counter-attack, with the Buccaneers battling to get an opening.
The Buccaneers continued to go in search of the winner as the clock ticked away, but had no joy and honours even it finished.
Confirmed line-ups:
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Mphahlele, Nyauza, Mngonyama, Ngqnga, Sanou, Phalan, Mahlonoko, Everson, Mtshali, Koapeng
Subs: T. Mbanjwa, Maponya, Tshanini, Khupe, S.Sibiya, Khumalo, Mthethwa, V. Sibiya, L. Mbanjwa.
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Hotto, Lebitso, Timm, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Dlamini, Mofokeng, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Maela, Sesane, Monyane, Makhaula, Kimvuidi, Ndlondlo, Kapinga, Lepasa
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