A stoppage-time goal by Issa Sarr helped Orlando Pirates secure a 1-1 draw with Baroka at the Orlando Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Kjell Jonevret’s side came into the match high on confidence after their 2-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic in their Nedbank Cup quarter-final last week and were without the suspended Abbubaker Mobara.
Meanwhile, Baroka came off the back of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Maritzburg United and find themselves at the bottom of the Absa Premiership standings
The visiting side showed signs of intent early on with Jose Garcia coming closest with his free-kick, but the midfielder was ultimately denied by Pirates shot-stopper Siyabonga Mpontshane.
The Buccaneer had a chance of their own in the 28th minute when Tendai Ndoro received a pass from Thabo Rakhale before firing his effort at goal, but his effort was deflected out for a corner after a block by Olaleng Shaku.
Thabo Matlaba had a chance to put Pirates ahead in the 30th minute when he unleashed a shot from range, but his effort drifted wide of the target.
In the first 45 minutes of the match, neither side could find the opening goal as the match went into the half-time interval locked at 0-0.
Baroka came out with confidence in the second-half when Shaku latched onto a corner from Garcia before headering his effort goalwards, however his attempt wasn’t hit with enough conviction.
Thamsanqa Gabuza came close to giving his side the lead in the 64th minute, but he couldn’t beat Oscarine Masuluke between the sticks from six-yards out.
The visiting side eventually took the lead in the 77th minute as Sepana Letsoalo fired in an effort at goal to make it 1-0.
However, Sarr was not to be denied in the dying minutes of the match when his header flew past a despairing Masuluke to level the match in stoppage-time.
Meanwhile, Platinum Stars and Free State Stars were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Moruleng Stadium when an 18th-minute equaliser by Nhlanhla Vilakazi cancelled out a 10th-minute opener by Henrico Botes.
