Wasteful Pirates Pay The Price Against AmaZulu
Orlando Pirates dropped two valuable points as they were held to a 1–1 draw by AmaZulu at Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday night, despite dominating the encounter—particularly during a blistering first half.
The Buccaneers were on the front foot from the onset, pinning Usuthu deep into their own half. Their early dominance paid off in the seventh minute when Tshepang Moremi fired the visitors ahead against his former club. Patrick Maswanganyi floated a exquisite pass to Yanela Mbuthuma, who brought the ball down and saw his initial effort parried into danger by goalkeeper Faveur Kouassi, allowing Moremi to pounce on the rebound.
However, on a chilly evening in Durban—at a venue that hosted the All Blacks’ warm-up victory over the Sharks just a day prior—Pirates let their lead slip.
On the stroke of half-time, AmaZulu were awarded a penalty after Mlondi Mbanjwa was brought down inside the box by Kamogelo Sebelebele. Referee Luxolo Badi pointed to the spot, and Zimbabwean striker Thando Ngwenya stepped up to beat Sipho Chaine down the middle for the equalizer. It marked Ngwenya’s fourth goal in three matches across all competitions this season.
Ngwenya was fortunate to still be on the field, having escaped a red card earlier in the half for a bone-crunching challenge on Sihle Nduli. Nduli, who had only recently returned from an ACL injury, was stretchered off and looks set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
AmaZulu entered the clash having not defeated Pirates in Durban since 2009, when Ayanda Dlamini scored the winner at Chatsworth Stadium. Since then, Pirates have extended their unbeaten run in Durban to 18 visits, recording seven wins and 11 draws.
Wednesday’s fixture took place at Kings Park Stadium, a venue where AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane enjoyed considerable success against Pirates during his playing career with Kaizer Chiefs. Zwane won the 2006 Coca-Cola Cup on penalties against Pirates and scored at the venue when Chiefs came from behind to draw 2–2 in November 2007—a Soweto Derby staged at Kings Park while Durban’s ICC hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw. Zwane also lifted the 2008/09 MTN8 title at the stadium after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties.
Despite Zwane’s history at the venue, Pirates appeared set to cruise to victory early on. Dressed in their new away kit, Abafana Bes’thende created chances at will. Mbuthuma thought he had doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, but his goalbound effort was blocked off the line by Riaan Hanamub with Kouassi stranded.
Mbuthuma continued to cause problems for Usuthu’s defense, bending a curling effort just wide moments later, before Gamphani Lungu wasted another golden opportunity when clean through on goal. Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was left seething on the touchline as his side failed to capitalize on their absolute supremacy—a failure that ultimately proved costly.
While Pirates dominated possession, AmaZulu remained dangerous on rare counter-attacks, with Ngwenya poking an effort just wide after pulling the Pirates defense out of position.
In the 72nd minute, Mbuthuma missed another chance to seal three points when Kouassi produced a stupendous acrobatic save to tip his header onto the crossbar.
As both coaches made a flurry of second-half substitutions, the tempo dropped, and the match drifted toward a stalemate. While the point extends Pirates’ long unbeaten streak in Durban, Ouaddou’s men will leave Kings Park feeling severely aggrieved after squandering a plethora of clear-cut opportunities.
