Pirates bleak league run continues

Orlando Pirates have now gone five league matches without a win after they played to a goalless draw with Golden Arrows here last night.

The wheels appear to have come off for the Buccaneers following a relatively good start to their season and even against an Arrows side they have dominated over the years, they couldn't get a win.

Such was Pirates' dominance in the first half that their keeper Jackson Mabokgwane was only called into action for the first time in the 27th minute. Two minutes earlier Bucs had had their best chance of the first half after Thabo Qalinge dribbled past a few Arrows defenders on his way to goal and it was now left to goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede to save Arrows.

Bucs captain Thabo Matlaba had also had a go at Gumede, but the latter was up for the challenge and had produced a fine stop before going on to earn the man of the match accolades.

The second half was a different ball game with Arrows showing some fight against the home side.

Arrows coach Clinton Larsen realised his midfielder Nduduzo Sibiya was subdued in the first half, took him off at the break and introduced Andile Fikizolo, who brought with him some energy.

Immediately after the restart, Kudakwashe Mahachi launched an attack and sent in a through pass for Knox Mutizwa but his left-footed attempt lacked power and Mabokgwane easily collected.

Bucs defender Justice Chabalala could have emerged as the hero, but missed a sitter much to the disappointment of the home fans.

Robin Ngalande (54th minute) opened the scoring for the visitors but Craig Martin equalised in the 69th minute.