Pirates lucky to come away with a point against fiery Cape Town City

Cape Town City were the dominant side and gave a flat Orlando Pirates a torrid night out in a 0-0 Premier Soccer League draw at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.

The match saw the return of last season's coach of Pirates, City's Eric Tinkler, make his first return to Orlando Stadium.

New Bucs coach Muhsin Ertugral would have been dissatisfied at his side's inability to find a rhythm in attack, and spent much of the night on the back foot trying to contain City's quick front runners, who were orchestrated by Lebogang Manyama.

Tinkler appeared to have a plan for a team and ground he knows well.

City took the game to Bucs for the first 35 minutes, with plenty of attempts at goal, though none on target.

These included early drives from the edge of the area by Manyama and Given Mashikinya.

• Polokwane City snatch valuable point at Ajax Cape TownBoth Ajax Cape Town and Polokwane City are still without a victory in the new Premier Soccer League season as they played out a 1-1 draw at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday in a game both could have won. 

Midfielder Mpho Matsi twice won headers in the area from Aubrey Ngoma's crosses, both going over the crossbar.

So did Manyama's free-kick in the 34th minute.

Bucs found a passing rhythm,  and some openings, in the last 10 minutes of the half.

Mpho Makola was in space on the right and passed inside to Riyaad Norodien who forced a good save falling to his right by City goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters.

In an attacking move Ertugral, who already had to bring on Bernard Morisson for Gift Motupa in the seventh minute, introduced Luvuyo Memela for Issa Sarr from the break.

But if anything City were even more dominant in the second half.

Ngoma's miscued shot fell for Judas Moseamedi, who got too far over his shot and could not beat Mhlongo.

Matsi beat defenders with a run into the area and fed Manyama in front of goal, who should have done better than force a fine reflex save from Mhlongo.

Moseamedi beat offside down the right, cut inside, and his shot took a deflection with Mhlongo desperately saving with one hand.

Pirates' anonymous star striker Tendai Ndoro had a rare shot past Walters' upright in the 78th.

But Manyama's free-kick that bounced awkwardly in front of Mhlongo at the right upright reinforced that this had been City's night.

  - TMG Digital