Pirates continue to stall as Marumo earn a gallant draw

A first victory of the season still eludes Orlando Pirates, after the side played out a goalless draw with Marumo Gallants in a DStv Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Dolly close to full fitness and a starting place for Chiefs

Pirates opened their season with a loss to Swallows FC in the MTN8, before playing to a 2-2 draw with Stellenbosch FC in their first game of the league.

The Soweto giants are now on two points after two games in the league, while Gallants registered their first point this campaign having lost their opening game to Baroka FC.

The battle in midfield was an interesting one, with Celimpilo Ngema and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo shaking things up for the home side, while Nkanyiso Zungu and Goodman Mosele were doing their duty for Bucs.

The game was balanced and tactical, with not many chances created by either team.

Bucs did have an early opportunity after a long ball from Mosele found striker Gabadinho Mhango inside the Gallants box, but attempted curler was saved by Washington Arubi.

The home team also came close to testing Richard Ofori in the Bucs goals in the 24th minute, but Ivorian Junior Dion’s header went wide, before the Pirates shot-stopper punched a dangerous ball in his box away just after the half hour mark.

There was a bit of worry after that, with the floodlights at the stadium going off, but they were back soon after, only for the game to go into halftime goalless.

In the second half, there wasn’t much difference from the first stanza in the first few minutes, with a lack of goalscoring chances.

Bucs did get two chances around the hour mark, with Zungu’s shot going wide and Bandile Shandu’s attempt getting blocked inside the Gallants’ box.

Gallants responded with a threat of their own in the 65th minute, with Ngema being denied by the woodwork.

Minutes later, Babina Noko came again with a promising run by Ndlondlo, but the Bucs defenders dealt with the danger.

In the end, nothing that could separate the two sides, even changes from both benches not being able make a difference, as the game ended 0-0.

Pirates will be looking to do better in their next league game, which sees them meeting Swallows on September 11. Gallants, on the other hand, will lock horns with Cape Town City on 15 September.