Stellenbosch and Pirates play out draw

Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their DStv Premiership clash at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Wednesday evening.

The Maroons put in a powerful first-half performance but found themselves a goal down heading into the break after the Buccaneers opened the scoring via Nkosinathi Sibisi, but an equaliser from Junior Mendieta early in the second half ensured a share of the spoils.

The result means both teams maintain an unbeaten start to the season, with Stellies drawing again after a 0-0 stalemate with Marumo Gallants, while the Soweto side followed up with the stalemate after a narrow win over derby rivals Swallows FC.

Stellenbosch provided the first shot in anger, with left-back Fawaaz Basadien getting away a drive from the corner of the penalty area which flashed wide of the near post in the ninth minute.

Pirates’ first chance arrived on 18 minutes when a free kick passed through the danger area and fell for Thembinkosi Lorch, who sliced a half-volley wide of the mark.

Stellenbosch were forced into an early change when Antonio van Wyk replaced the injured Glen Hahn on 20 minutes, and the young substitute’s first contribution to the game was a shot from a tight angle into the side netting.

On 25 minutes the Maroons threatened again, with Mogamad De Goede beating goalkeeper Richard Ofori to a corner kick delivery and directing an effort on target, but Innocent Maela was well placed to make a goal-line clearance.

Stellenbosch should have claimed the lead on 38 minutes when Van Wyk, who grew in confidence the longer he was on the pitch, strode forward into space and struck a shot over the target when he should have at least called Ofori into action.

The half looked set to end goalless, but in the last minute of regulation time before the break Pirates claimed the lead against the run of play.

Kabelo Dlamini’s corner kick was emphatically headed home by defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, whose effort thundered into the goal via the underside of the crossbar.

Stellies would have been gutted to be a goal down at the interval, but they fought back to level the game nine minutes after the restart in the second half.

Basadien’s free kick delivery from the left picked out Junior Mendieta, who overpowered Maela in the air and directed a header beyond Ofori’s right hand for 1-1.

The Buccaneers nearly reclaimed the lead just after the hour mark when Goodman Mosele got away a deflected shot from the edge of the box which flashed just wide of the top corner, and they soon opted for changes in attack and midfield, as Vincent Pule and Miguel Timm were introduced in the 67th minute.

Chances then dried up at either end, with the most threatening moment a cross-shot from Pirates substitute Thabiso Monyane which flashed dangerously close to Sage Stephens’s top right corner in the 90th minute.

The teams will return to DStv Premiership action this weekend, with Stellenbosch hosting Royal AM on Saturday afternoon, while Pirates will welcome Chippa United to Soweto the following day.

Stellenbosch FC (0) 1 (Mendieta 54’)

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Sibisi 45’)

TEAMS:

Stellenbosch:Stephens, Van Rooyen, Andries, De Goede, Basadien, Titus (Mngomezulu 79’), Mthethwa, Nduli, Hahn (Van Wyk 20’), Mendieta (Khunyedi 79’), Adams

Orlando Pirates:Ofori, Ndah, Sibisi, Maela (Xoki 86’), Shandu (Monyane 86’), Mosele, Motshwari (Timm 67’), Tlolane (Hotto 46’), Dlamini (Pule 67’), Lorch, Eva Nga