Cape Town City showed Orlando Pirates no respect as the two teams settled for a point in a goalless draw in Soweto last night.
Guided by Pirates' former coach Eric Tinkler, the visitors took the game to the hosts and an indication of their dominance in the first half was the fact that they had four corners, while Pirates had none.
In fact, City even had a penalty appeal early on that was turned down by referee Daniel Bennett.
This was after Bucs striker Tendai Ndoro found himself helping out in defence and appeared to bring down Aubrey Ngoma.
Fortunately for Pirates, Bennett waved play on.
To make matters worse, Pirates were forced into a change in the eighth minute after Gift Motupa picked up an injury and was replaced by Bernard Morrison.
Such was City's dominance that Pirates only had a real opportunity after 20 minutes when Ndoro combined with Riyaad Norodien, but the latter's attempt was way off target.
City had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Abbubaker Mobara fouled Judas Moseamedi on the edge of the box, but Lebohang Manyama failed to hit the target from the resultant free kick just outside the box.
On the backfoot for most of the first half, Pirates retaliated just before the break but Mobara's grass cutter - set up by a cheeky backheel by Mpho Makola - was not good enough to beat Shu-Aib Walters.
After the break, City continued to show no respect to Pirates, while Bucs coach Muhsin Ertugral ejected the ineffective Issa Sarr who was defending too deep and sent on attacking midfielder Luvuyo Memela.
Despite the change, Pirates play didn't improve and could have gone behind in the 57th minute, but goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo was on hand to deny Moseamedi from close range.
The Bucs goalie followed up with another great save to deny Manyama two minutes later.
In response, Pirates created their own chance with Makola running towards the City defence but he opted for a shot when Morrison was better positioned to score.
Ndoro, who was quiet for most of the match, also had a shot minutes later but his attempt was off target.
Pirates should consider themselves lucky to have walked away with a point and as it is, they dropped their first two points having started the season with two back-to-back wins.
However, they remain top of the standings with seven points, while their next opponents, Bidvest Wits, are second with the same number of points.
Bucs and the Clever Boys meet at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday in what could be a thriller.
lMeanwhile, Polokwane City held a 10-man Ajax Cape Town to a 1-1 draw at Cape Town Stadium last night. Thobani Mncwango's late spot kick cancelled out Nathan Paulse's third-minute strike.
Elsewhere, Thabang Monare and Cuthbert Malajila handed Wits a 2-0 win over Baroka at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Bucs stop here
Cape Town City showed Orlando Pirates no respect as the two teams settled for a point in a goalless draw in Soweto last night.
Guided by Pirates' former coach Eric Tinkler, the visitors took the game to the hosts and an indication of their dominance in the first half was the fact that they had four corners, while Pirates had none.
In fact, City even had a penalty appeal early on that was turned down by referee Daniel Bennett.
This was after Bucs striker Tendai Ndoro found himself helping out in defence and appeared to bring down Aubrey Ngoma.
Fortunately for Pirates, Bennett waved play on.
To make matters worse, Pirates were forced into a change in the eighth minute after Gift Motupa picked up an injury and was replaced by Bernard Morrison.
Such was City's dominance that Pirates only had a real opportunity after 20 minutes when Ndoro combined with Riyaad Norodien, but the latter's attempt was way off target.
City had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Abbubaker Mobara fouled Judas Moseamedi on the edge of the box, but Lebohang Manyama failed to hit the target from the resultant free kick just outside the box.
On the backfoot for most of the first half, Pirates retaliated just before the break but Mobara's grass cutter - set up by a cheeky backheel by Mpho Makola - was not good enough to beat Shu-Aib Walters.
After the break, City continued to show no respect to Pirates, while Bucs coach Muhsin Ertugral ejected the ineffective Issa Sarr who was defending too deep and sent on attacking midfielder Luvuyo Memela.
Despite the change, Pirates play didn't improve and could have gone behind in the 57th minute, but goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo was on hand to deny Moseamedi from close range.
The Bucs goalie followed up with another great save to deny Manyama two minutes later.
In response, Pirates created their own chance with Makola running towards the City defence but he opted for a shot when Morrison was better positioned to score.
Ndoro, who was quiet for most of the match, also had a shot minutes later but his attempt was off target.
Pirates should consider themselves lucky to have walked away with a point and as it is, they dropped their first two points having started the season with two back-to-back wins.
However, they remain top of the standings with seven points, while their next opponents, Bidvest Wits, are second with the same number of points.
Bucs and the Clever Boys meet at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday in what could be a thriller.
lMeanwhile, Polokwane City held a 10-man Ajax Cape Town to a 1-1 draw at Cape Town Stadium last night. Thobani Mncwango's late spot kick cancelled out Nathan Paulse's third-minute strike.
Elsewhere, Thabang Monare and Cuthbert Malajila handed Wits a 2-0 win over Baroka at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
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