ORLANDO Pirates let slip another chance to close the gap on arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership match here last night.
It was a sixth successive draw in the Premiership title chase for the champions, who had to come from behind to equalise from a Collins Mbesuma penalty after Stars had gone 1-0 up at the break.
An injury-plagued Pirates are still down to third place, six points behind Chiefs and two behind Dikwena.
Despite the injuries, Bucs dominated the early exchanges with Mpho Makola missing a good early chance for the champions.
Paulus Masehe scored a cracking close range goal in the 33rd minute to change the momentum and give the home side some belief after their run of four successive defeats.
Luyolo Nomandala had a legitimate-looking effort ruled offside in a controversial refereeing performance from Victor Gomes, whose award of the penalty to Pirates in the 78th minute looked a harsh decision against Sihle Mpuqa.
Mbesuma squeezed the kick past his Zambian compatriot Kennedy Mweene to equalise and set up a thrilling last 10 minutes in which both sides might have taken all three points.
Gomes at the end of the game sent off Pirates coach Roger de Sa, who swore at him on the final whistle, reflecting the frustration in the Bucs camp as their title starts to slip away.
- Elsewhere last night, Platinum Stars remain very much in the league title race following their 2-1 victory against BidVest Wits at Milpark Stadium, writes Marc Strydom.
Second-placed Stars were able to close the gap on leaders Kaizer Chiefs - who were not in action last night - to four points. Dikwena are increasingly looking the most likely challengers to Amakhosi for the championship.
The Students started last night match on the offensive, attacking Stars with pace and movement, but could only finish one of their numerous chances.
After taking the lead through Ryan Champman in the 21st minute, the hosts spawned a penalty, taken by Sibusiso Vilakazi, in the 37th. Then Wits conceded a soft equaliser by Mogakolodi Ngele in the 44th, and an even softer penalty from which Ngele scored a second in the 59th.
- Goals by Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela and Msekeli Mvalo gave strugglers Chippa United their only fourth win of the season as they saw off Moroka Swallows 2-1 at Philippi Stadium in Cape Town. Bennett Chenene scored for the Birds in the opening minutes of the game.
- Ayanda Dlamini's late goal gave AmaZulu a 1-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
- Kgomotso Sethusha reports from Loftus Stadium that the quest for a top-eight qualification continues for Mamelodi Sundowns after they were held to 1-all draw by the University of Pretoria.
With the defence that bordered on the shambolic, Sundowns suffered another lapse of concentration just as they did when they lost to Platinum Stars on Sunday.
The Tshwane sleeping giants went ahead through Richard Henyekane, the striker stroking in past Arubi Washington in the 51st minute.
But as the Brazilians took turns missing opportunities, AmaTuks grabbed the equaliser through Bongani Zungu on the hour mark.
lMaritzburg United and Lamontville Golden Arrows played to a 2-all draw in a KwaZulu-Natal derby in Pietermaritzburg.
Bucs slip again
ORLANDO Pirates let slip another chance to close the gap on arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership match here last night.
It was a sixth successive draw in the Premiership title chase for the champions, who had to come from behind to equalise from a Collins Mbesuma penalty after Stars had gone 1-0 up at the break.
An injury-plagued Pirates are still down to third place, six points behind Chiefs and two behind Dikwena.
Despite the injuries, Bucs dominated the early exchanges with Mpho Makola missing a good early chance for the champions.
Paulus Masehe scored a cracking close range goal in the 33rd minute to change the momentum and give the home side some belief after their run of four successive defeats.
Luyolo Nomandala had a legitimate-looking effort ruled offside in a controversial refereeing performance from Victor Gomes, whose award of the penalty to Pirates in the 78th minute looked a harsh decision against Sihle Mpuqa.
Mbesuma squeezed the kick past his Zambian compatriot Kennedy Mweene to equalise and set up a thrilling last 10 minutes in which both sides might have taken all three points.
Gomes at the end of the game sent off Pirates coach Roger de Sa, who swore at him on the final whistle, reflecting the frustration in the Bucs camp as their title starts to slip away.
Second-placed Stars were able to close the gap on leaders Kaizer Chiefs - who were not in action last night - to four points. Dikwena are increasingly looking the most likely challengers to Amakhosi for the championship.
The Students started last night match on the offensive, attacking Stars with pace and movement, but could only finish one of their numerous chances.
After taking the lead through Ryan Champman in the 21st minute, the hosts spawned a penalty, taken by Sibusiso Vilakazi, in the 37th. Then Wits conceded a soft equaliser by Mogakolodi Ngele in the 44th, and an even softer penalty from which Ngele scored a second in the 59th.
With the defence that bordered on the shambolic, Sundowns suffered another lapse of concentration just as they did when they lost to Platinum Stars on Sunday.
The Tshwane sleeping giants went ahead through Richard Henyekane, the striker stroking in past Arubi Washington in the 51st minute.
But as the Brazilians took turns missing opportunities, AmaTuks grabbed the equaliser through Bongani Zungu on the hour mark.
lMaritzburg United and Lamontville Golden Arrows played to a 2-all draw in a KwaZulu-Natal derby in Pietermaritzburg.
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