Advertisement

Pirates held to goalless draw in Bulawayo

football12 January 2019 15:09| © Backpage TXT
Share
article image
Justin Shonga © Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates were held to a 0-0 draw away to FC Platinum in their group B 2019 Caf Champions League opener at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday afternoon.

The South Africans next face Horoya at home this coming Friday. The Zimbabwean champions are away to Caf Champions League holders Esperance de Tunis next weekend.

The Buccaneers' first shot in anger fell to Justin Shonga in the ninth minute. The Zambia international found a pocket of space inside the penalty area before firing a powerful attempt on goal, but Petros Mhari was up to the challenge.

Platinum's first chance of the match came shortly after, as Kelvin Madzongwe let fly from range, but Jackson Mabokgwane got down well to divert the ball off course.

The game continued to ebb and flow, with chances coming at either end of the pitch in what was a thrill-a-minute battle.

[embed:video:id=1035534]

Pirates ramped up the pressure in the closing stages of the half. Innocent Maela ignited a relentless spell of pressure in the 35th minute as he sent a towering header inches wide of goal, after rising highest from a corner-kick.

Thembinkosi Lorch was then denied by Mhari, who was well positioned to keep out the lively forward's crisply struck volley soon after.

Mhari was at his brilliant best once more on the cusp of halftime to deny Shonga, who's free-kick looked destined for the back of the net. The Platinum shot-stopper, though, stood firm with the game deadlocked at 0-0 as the two teams headed for the tunnel at the break.

Chances dried up in the second stanza with both teams reluctant to throw bodies forward in attack.

In the end, both teams settled for a point apiece in Zimbabwe's 'second city'.

TEAMS

FC Platinum: Mhari; Madhanaga, Chafa, Madzongwe, Muduviwa, Dube (Nhamo 86'), Sadiki (Mbweti 77'), Stima, Bello, Kutsanzira, E.Moyo.

Orlando Pirates: Mabokgwane; Mbekile, Jele, Ndengane, Maela, Munetsi, Mlambo (Mntambo 86'), Nyatama, Mahachi (Pule 74'), Lorch, Shonga (Mulenga 65').

Advertisement