Bucs get a fright

Improved Cape Town City give Orlando Pirates a run for their money.

Cape Town City’s gradual improvement was evident in their goalless draw against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium in Soweto last night It was the first time Orlando Pirates were kept scoreless this season.

But if one were to say Cape Town City were weak, it would be tantamount to denying them their dues.

They were worth the point they accrued and at times, were the better side.

Though the first half was goalless, it was not entirely uneventful, as Eric Tinkler’s side were a far better outfit than the one battered by Bidvest Wits in the MTN8 semifinals.

They were far more solid in midfield and Mpho Matsi did a better job of containing Oupa Manyisa than he did when he was faced with Thabang Monare and Ben Motshwari.

With that said, Pirates still had the better of proceedings and created the better chances but their nominally lethal league finishing deserted them this time. With Tshepo Gumede finding his defensive bearings, Tendai Ndoro was kept quiet and hardly allowed space to manoeuvre.

Conspicuous by his absence in the Pirates starting lineup was Edwin Gyimah, who had a bust-up with coach Muhsin Ertugral after their conquest of Ajax Cape Town last week. The hosts also had an early setback when Gift Motupa fell awkwardly and had to taken off in the eighth minute.

It was not the change Ertugral wanted to make early but Bernard Morrison proved to be a capable substitute.

 It was from Morrison’s cross that Pirates had one of their best chances of the first half, in the 26th minute, when the Ghanaian midfielder slipped a cross past Phaladi Kobola. Unfortunately, retreating centreback Happy Jele side-footed the ball away from the g o a l p o st s .

Cape Town City held their own with Judas Moseamedi, Matsi and Lebohang Manyama proving to be an attacking threat. Matsi gave Pirates endless problems in the air and the hosts were fortunate that one of his headers in the 23rd minute went wide.

The visitors got into their stride in the second half and Moseamedi and Aubrey Ngoma gave the hosts a fright but Brighton Mhlongo was on hand to save their bacon in the 59th and 69th minutes.

Having soaked up the pressure, Pirates tried to raid Shu-aib Walters’ goal but the closest they came was Ndoro’s 79th minute shot that skimmed the side netting.

Mhlongo, who played in his first home game of the season after missing out on the 3-1 opening win against Golden Arrows, was called on to make another save in the 88th minute. This time it was from a Manyama free kick that would have gone in had Felipe Ovono still been in goal.

• National First Division champions Baroka FC have still to find their footing in the big league. Last night, they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of in-form Bidvest Wits in front of their home fans at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, with Thabang Monare and Cuthbert Majlaila both finding the net.
•  Polokwane City snatched a point away from home when they held Ajax Cape Town to a 1-all draw. Ajax’s Nathan Paulse scored in the third minute, only for City’s Thobani Mncwango to equalise in the 61st.