Johannesburg – Saturday’s Premiership encounter between Orlando Pirates and Richards Bay ended in a scoreless draw, putting to rest the notion that they may contend with Mamelodi Sundowns for the league championship.
The victory also meant that they remained fifth in the standings with 15 points, four points behind league leaders and defending champions Sundowns.
In the grand scheme of things, this was Pirates’ second dismal performance in the league this week, following Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Sekhukhune United.
The Sea Robbers are winless in their last three contests. However, their 0-0 draw with Sundowns in the MTN8 led many to believe that the tide has turned.
The fact that they have struggled to score in each of their three matches demonstrates that they have a long way to go before becoming a well-oiled machine.
Despite playing with 10 men in the second half, Richards Bay will be satisfied with their draw as they maintained second place with 18 points.
When teams achieve promotion to the premier league, they declare “we are not here to add up numbers” and add veterans to their rosters.
This season, however, the Natal Rich Boys appear to fit the bill. Their veterans and youth have melded beautifully to become a surprise package in the top division.
In fact, they entered the match second on the standings, two points behind Sundowns. A feat that ensured victory would place them on top.
In their attempt to accomplish this, they utilized four former Pirates players, including defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza and forward Luvuyo Memele.
The odds still favored the Buccaneers to win, despite the fact that coach Jose Riveiro made five substitutions for the game.
These changes included goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, who made his first start of the season in place of the suspended Richard Ofori.
After a box-clearing scramble, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo fired a shot into the seats for the Pirates, who played up to their status as pregame favorites.
Pirates may have dominated possession, but Olisa Ndah’s header from a Monnapule Saleng corner kick was their first real threat to score.
This attempt, however, was blocked by goalkeeper Salim Magoola, who was seeking his second consecutive clean sheet following the 1-0 victory over AmaZulu last week.
As the game progressed, the Natal Rich Boys also emerged, bringing the game to the Pirates — with Memela as the conductor.
But Richards Bay were similarly lackluster in the final third, failing to convert on constructive passes due to Somila Ntsundwana’s bluntness.
However, the Pirates swiftly changed the script as they continued to search for the leader, with Saleng attempting a close-range shot.
Bandile Shandu, who had replaced Thabiso Monyane, had wide space on the right flank, but Magoola denied his cross in front of the net.
After Siyanda Msani was sent a red card for a risky challenge on Ndah, the visitors had the greater talking point during the first half.
Pirates were expected to come out swinging in the second half against 10 men. And they did, but their awful ending let them down.
On the hour mark, Ndah came close to tapping in Saleng’s set-piece, but Magoola collected the attempt with ease.
To the dismay of ‘the Ghost,’ Magoola also spared his team from losing by stopping a pinpoint header from Tapelo Xoki as the game ended 0-0.
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