Title Race Drama! City Hold Pirates To Costly Draw In Soweto

Orlando Pirates’ Betway Premiership title ambitions suffered a massive blow on Saturday after being held to a goalless 0-0 draw by Nedbank Cup champions Durban City at the Orlando Stadium, leaving them two points behind Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates came into the match with renewed hope following TS Galaxy FC’s 3-2 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns FC in midweek. That result marked Sundowns’ final game of the season, leaving them top of the table with 68 points as they continue their pursuit of a ninth consecutive league title.

Pirates, meanwhile, remain second on the standings with 66 points and still have a slim chance of winning the title. The Buccaneers have one league match remaining against Orbit College FC next weekend at Mbombela Stadium, where only a victory will keep their title hopes alive.

The Soweto giants are chasing their first league crown since the 2011/12 season. They are also pursuing a treble, having last achieved the feat during that same campaign when they won the league title, MTN8, and Carling Knockout.

Pirates have already lifted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout this season, and should they go on to win the league title, they would become the first club in Premier Soccer League history to complete a treble on three separate occasions. They previously achieved the feat in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons, and remain the only club in PSL history to win trebles in successive campaigns.

Pirates started the match brightly and dominated large spells of the first half, creating several clear-cut chances while putting Durban City under sustained pressure. However, they were unable to find the breakthrough.

The Buccaneers continued with the same intensity after the break and once again created numerous scoring opportunities, but luck deserted them in front of goal as the match ultimately ended in a 0-0 draw.