Spurs got their goal though Rafael Van der Vaart in the 18th minute
THE memories of the late Orlando Pirates No 1 fan Johannes "Mzion" Mofokeng were too strong on the minds of the Buccaneers, but they still held English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-all draw here last night.
Pirates hardly looked like a team going through a painful mourning following the death of Mofokeng yesterday, as they gave a glimpse of what is to be expected in the new season.
Instead they seemed more determined to play the game in his memory.
Their opponents also looked to be playing to the script as they let the Soweto giants off the hook on several occasions in the opening half.
But the Buccaneers refused to win the match as they squandered numerous opportunities to win towards the end.
Having Spurs against the ropes towards the end, Buccaneers seemed contend to play to the gallery than winning a game there for their taking.
For moments of this interesting match, Oupa Manyisa's movement overwhelmed a stunned Spurs side, who were expected to revenge their loss to Kaizer Chiefs on their rivals.
Dominating large periods of the first half, Spurs duly got their goal though Rafael Van der Vaart in the 18th minute.
The Dutch forward thundered in the opener from a free-kick on the edge of the box. Luka Modric was already in his stride, straying exquisite passes from the middle as the Buccaneers struggled to make use of their better ball possession.
It could have been the cobwebs on the part of the reigning PSL champions, understandable after a three-week lay-off.
It said a lot of the hype around Bongani Ndulula, created by a promising international football career with Baby Bafana,
The youngster battled on a bigger stage, as he idolized his European opponents. He lacked guile to penetrate a not-so-tight defence, manned by Bongani Khumalo and Younes Kaboul.
But sensing embarrassment, the Buccaneers got out of their shell, losing their inhibition to a gutsy, attacking and purposeful football.
Happy Jele edged closer before unleashing a superb strike to make the interval and final score 1-1.
Jele steals a draw for Bucs
Spurs got their goal though Rafael Van der Vaart in the 18th minute
THE memories of the late Orlando Pirates No 1 fan Johannes "Mzion" Mofokeng were too strong on the minds of the Buccaneers, but they still held English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-all draw here last night.
Pirates hardly looked like a team going through a painful mourning following the death of Mofokeng yesterday, as they gave a glimpse of what is to be expected in the new season.
Instead they seemed more determined to play the game in his memory.
Their opponents also looked to be playing to the script as they let the Soweto giants off the hook on several occasions in the opening half.
But the Buccaneers refused to win the match as they squandered numerous opportunities to win towards the end.
Having Spurs against the ropes towards the end, Buccaneers seemed contend to play to the gallery than winning a game there for their taking.
For moments of this interesting match, Oupa Manyisa's movement overwhelmed a stunned Spurs side, who were expected to revenge their loss to Kaizer Chiefs on their rivals.
Dominating large periods of the first half, Spurs duly got their goal though Rafael Van der Vaart in the 18th minute.
The Dutch forward thundered in the opener from a free-kick on the edge of the box. Luka Modric was already in his stride, straying exquisite passes from the middle as the Buccaneers struggled to make use of their better ball possession.
It could have been the cobwebs on the part of the reigning PSL champions, understandable after a three-week lay-off.
It said a lot of the hype around Bongani Ndulula, created by a promising international football career with Baby Bafana,
The youngster battled on a bigger stage, as he idolized his European opponents. He lacked guile to penetrate a not-so-tight defence, manned by Bongani Khumalo and Younes Kaboul.
But sensing embarrassment, the Buccaneers got out of their shell, losing their inhibition to a gutsy, attacking and purposeful football.
Happy Jele edged closer before unleashing a superb strike to make the interval and final score 1-1.
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