Seema’s Stunner Saves Pirates As Richards Bay Hold Buccaneers In Thriller
Mamelodi Sundowns will be smiling from their base in Tunisia tonight. Their title rivals, Orlando Pirates, were held to an enthralling 2-2 draw by Richards Bay in a pulsatiing Betway Premiership clash at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday.
Lebone Seema rescued Pirates from defeat with a stunning strike in stoppage time, firing home from outside the box.
Pirates had earlier found the net through Andre de Jong, but the goal was disallowed after he pushed Ian Otieno over the line following a handball—resulting in a foul.
Despite piling forward in search of a winner, Pirates were unable to reclaim top spot.
They entered the match needing victory to return to the summit in what has been a fiercely contested title race this season. However, the draw leaves them second on the table with 55 points from 24 matches, while Sundowns remain top with 56 points and a game in hand.
Richards Bay, meanwhile, missed the chance to break into the top eight. A win would have taken them to 29 points from 24 matches, but they remain outside the top eight.
Pirates were playing at the venue for the first time in 12 years, their last visit coming against Thanda Royal Zulu in the second round of the Nedbank Cup. On that occasion, they won 4-3 on penalties before going on to lift the trophy in the 2013/14 season.
In a bid for continuity, Pirates fielded the same side that thrashed Golden Arrows 5-0 at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday. They came into the match two points behind log leaders Sundowns, who are not in league action this weekend as they prepare to face Esperance in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg on Sunday.
This presented Pirates with an opportunity to move to the top of the table, albeit having played a game more.
Pirates nearly took the lead as early as the third minute. Relebohile Mofokeng, who came into the match on the back of five goals in two games, sliced open the Bay defence to set up Kamogelo Sebelebele. However, with only Otieno to beat, he fired straight at the goalkeeper before sending his follow-up effort wide.
Richards Bay stunned Pirates in the 11th minute by taking the lead. Pirates failed to deal with Sanele Barns’ free-kick, and after a partial clearance, Thulani Gumede unleashed a powerful strike into the roof of the net from Simphiwe Mcineka’s pass, giving Sipho Chaine no chance.
Pirates continued to press, attacking down both flanks through Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Mofokeng in search of an equaliser.
Appollis came close on the stroke of half-time when a loose ball fell kindly in the box, but the Bafana Bafana international was just a fraction late with his attempt.
As the Natal Rich Boyz began to sit deeper, Pirates drew level in the 52nd minute. Mofokeng delivered a pinpoint cross, and Appollis finished from close range to make it 1-1.
However, Bay regained the lead in spectacular fashion in the 59th minute, as Lindokuhle Zikhali struck a superb effort past Chaine.
From there, Richards Bay defended resolutely, with Pirates camped in their half. But Seema’s late screamer ensured the spoils were shared.
Pirates will be relieved to have avoided defeat—especially after Kaizer Chiefs dropped points—and with Sundowns still to visit Umhlathuze, they know it will not be an easy assignment for the log leaders either.
