Galaxy steal a point against Pirates in Orlando

The Citizen

17-05-2025

The draw took the Buccaneers to 56 points, 14 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns who have already won the league title with a game to spare.
Orlando Pirates began life without coach Jose Riveiro with a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy in a Betway Premiership clash at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Bandile Shandu scored the opening goal for the Buccaneers and Mpho Mvelase grabbed the equaliser for The Rockets.
The draw took the Buccaneers to 56 points, 14 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns who have already won the league title with a game to spare.
Galaxy, on the other hand, remained fifth in the standings after recording their 11th draw of the campaign.
The first half was a scrappy affair with most of the action taking place in the middle of the pitch and minimal chances were created by both teams.
While Galaxy had several shots on goal, Pirates' only good chance of the half was a free kick awarded to them in a good position after the hour mark. And Deon Hotto's deflected shot was saved by Ira Tape.
Prior to that Khayelihle Mncube tried his luck from long range in the 11th minute for Galaxy, but his shot went wide of goal before Sipho Chaine made a comfortable save to deny Kamogelo Sebelebele two minutes later.
The score was 0-0 at the interval in Soweto.
Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi made a surprise substitution at the start of the second half by taking out Chaine and replacing him with Melusi Buthelezi.
His counterpart Adnan Beganovic also made one substitute, bringing in Mvelase for Khulumani Ndimane.
Unlike in the first half, there was a sense of urgency in the second half from both teams as they went toe-to-toe looking for the opening goal.
For 65 minutes Pirates had toiled, struggling to find a way past a dismal Galaxy side that has not won a game for over two months. But then came salvation through Bandile Shandu who finished off a good move started by Relebohile Mofokeng who found Mohau Nkota on the right and he in return laid a perfect pass to Shandu for an easy tap-in.
Kabelo Dlamini almost doubled the Buccaneers lead in the 77th minute, but Tape was well-positioned to make a save.
Substitute Keagan Dolly almost caught Buthelezi off-guard with a snap shot in the 81st minute, but his shot went wide of goal.
Just when it looked like Pirates would take all the three points, Mvelase netted the equaliser in referee's optional time to take home a point from Orlando in the last game of the season.