Orlando Pirates and Magesi FC closed off the Betway Premiership season with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday evening.
The Buccaneers made three changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw against AmaZulu, with Innocent Maela, Bandile Shandu and Boitumelo Radiopane handed starts.
Pirates hit the front in the seventh minute when Patrick Maswanganyi made good use of a free-kick on the edge of the area and fired into the bottom corner.
Mohau Nkota, who played a part in the opener, looked to get one himself through a quick counter-attack, but he couldn’t beat goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Dikwena Tsa Meetse replied just after the half-hour mark as Edmore Chirambadare got on the end of a switch of play involving Thabang Sibanyoni and finished smartly.
The Buccaneers looked to go back in front just before halftime through rising star Simphiwe Selepe following Maela’s assist, but the visitors cleared their lines.
Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi turned to the substitutes bench at the interval and decided to bring on young midfielder Cemran Dansin for Thalente Mbatha.
Maela should’ve put the host back in front with a header inside the area from a corner-kick by Relebohile Mofokeng, but he was unable to hit the target.
Nkota came close to restoring the lead minutes in the second half through a promising attempt around the six-yard box, but it went well off the mark as the Buccaneers continued to dominate.
Pirates still pushed numbers forward and provided another threat with Maswanganyi seeking for his second goal from a lay-off by Mofokeng, but Chipezeze parried effectively to keep the Limpopo side in the contest.
Tshegofatso Mabasa nearly made a telling impact off the bench through a smart header from Mofokeng’s cross, but Chipezeze saved, as the encounter ended all square in the final game of the season at Orlando Stadium.
Pirates missed the chance to secure a record 63 points in the campaign, but have equalled the club record of 61 for a third season in the Premeir Soccer League era.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Maela, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Shandu, Selepe, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Nkota, Mofokeng, Radiopane
Subs: Dladla, Xoki, Madiba, Van Rooyen, Tshobeni, Kimvuidi, Moleleki, Dansin, Mabasa
Magesi: Chipezeze, Mekoa, Matima, Makgoka, Vandala, Abrahams, Mokone, Mtshali, Buthelzi, Chiramabandare, Sibanyoni.
Subs: Tshabalala, Masegela, Komape, Komane, Mashikinya, Baloyi, Ashby, Makhubela, Matlakala.
