Platinum Stars deny Orlando Pirates a win

27 September 2016 - 23:54 By Marc Strydom
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Orlando Pirates thought they had done just enough to secure a narrow Premier Soccer League victory over Platinum Stars, before substitute Thobani Kunene headed in an injury time equaliser in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw.

Bucs Substitute Thabiso Kutumela’s 77-minute strike with a deflected free-kick at Orlando Stadium had given Pirates a lead that a side in top fluency would most likely have been able to protect.

But for Bucs coach Muhsin Ertugral clearly the formula to the efficiency the perfectionist coach strives so hard for remains some way from completion.

After a dour first-half slog, both sides lifted themselves markedly in a far more watchable second 45 minutes.

Stars struck the woodwork, and Pirates produced some good opportunities in front of goal, and ultimately would have believed they had done enough to earn a narrow victory against Cavin Johnson’s organised, under-rated Platinum with Kutumela’s goal.

But Stars came to Orlando Stadium to fight, and they did that until the very last whistle by referee Philip Tinyani.

It was a flat, sluggish midfield battle of a first half from both sides.

Chances were few to come by, and when they did emerge, were unconvincing.

A speculative shot from Oupa Manyisa from the edge of the area skidded harmlessly past Stars goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela’s upright.

The closest anyone came was when Platinum playmaker Robert Ng’ambi took a lazy swipe of the right boot from 28 metres for a drive hit with more venom than it had appeared, which came close to Bucs keeper Brighton Mhlongo’s left upright.

The skilful Thembela Sikhakhane – utilised effectively by Ertugral in right midfield – produced a cross that Bernard Morrison got up to, but could not turn sharply enough to hit the target.

Clearly under instruction from their coaches, the two sides lifted the tempo markedly in the second half as the noise level increased a few notches from the sparse midweek crowd.

Pirates, especially, needed to go up a gear on their home ground, as Ertugral introduced the sprightly Kutumela, making his third run off the bench this season, for Morrison.

Mpho Makola fashioned space on the right of the area and tested Mzimela with a well-struck shot. Kutumela then ran in on the left and was denied by Stars’ keeper.

Thabo Matlaba was free in the area to Tendai Ndoro’s cross and turned his header over the crossbar.

Stars were not going to submit weakly, and ex-Buccaneer Ndumiso Mabena’s drive thudded onto Mhlongo’s right upright.

But Bucs had edged just enough of an advantage to feel they deserved a goal.

Their little signing from Baroka FC, Kutumela, earned a free-kick on the edge of the Platinum area being brought down by Vuyo Mere. The First Division’s top scorer last season picked himself up to take the set piece, striking a low shot that was deflected in past a stranded Mzimela.

Mabena almost brought Stars back into the game again, his viciously swerving free-kick palmed over by Mhlongo.

Stars had always threatened when attacking Pirates’ goal, and Kunene got up to a corner from Mabena in injury time to place a header past Mhlongo and equalise.

There had been a roar from the crowd as Edwin Gyimah, the defender who had an alleged altercation with Ertugral at Cape Town Airport two weeks ago, took the field for Abbubaker Mobara in the 84.

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