Orlando Pirates

Abel Mabaso of Orlando Pirastes challenged by Mxolisi Kunene of Maritzburg United during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 05 November 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

PSL match report | Orlando Pirates fire blanks against 10-man Maritzburg United – 20 October

Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates played to a 0-0 draw in a league match which was played at Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday.

Orlando Pirates

Abel Mabaso of Orlando Pirastes challenged by Mxolisi Kunene of Maritzburg United during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 05 November 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates played to a 0-0 draw in a league match which was played at Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday.

READ | AS IT HAPPENED | MARITZBURG UNITED VS ORLANDO PIRATES

As a result, Pirates moved up to sixth on the PSL standings with 10 points from seven games while the Team of Choice jumped to 11th on the log.

Both teams tried to settle after the first 10 minutes of the game as neither team was able to keep the ball longer.

The first real chance of the game fell for Pirates as Tshegofatso Mabasa was played through on goal inside the Maritzburg United after 15 minutes.

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However, goalkeeper Engelhardt made himself big to deny the Bafana Bafana international and keep Maritzburg United in the game.

Pirates got another chance to open the scoring as Linda Mntambo fired from the edge of the box but Engelhardt dived to his right to make a brilliant stop.

Just after the half-hour mark, Terrence Dzvukamanja failed to put Pirates ahead as he fluffed the ball across the face of goal with just an open net in front of him.

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The final 15 minutes of the first half proved disappointing as goalscoring chances were few and far between.

It took just over five minutes after the restart for Amadou Soukouna to dribble past Happy Jele before attempting a shot from inside the box.

However, his attempted shot was blocked for a corner as Maritzburg United looked fired up from Ernst Middendorp’s half-time talk.

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Pirates looked threatening after the hour-mark although they weren’t able to create clear-cut goalscoring chances despite having too much possession in the Martizburg United half.

Drama unfolded in the 67th minute when Brandon Theron received his marching orders for a reckless challenge on Thabang Monare.

And this meant Maritzburg United would finish the game with 10 men, and they needed to defend better to keep Pirates at bay.

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Pirates substitute Kwame Peprah hit his attempt against Alfred Ndengane as the visitors look for a breakthrough with 13 minutes to go.

The play continued but Maritzburg’s clearance fell for Fortune Makaringe but his well-hit curler went wide of goal.

Both sides took the game to each other in the closing stages as it was attack after attack but they fired blanks, especially Pirates who had numerical advantage.

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Ultimately, both Maritzburg United and Pirates were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

STARTING LINE-UPS

Maritzburg United XI: Engelhardt, Ismail, Ndengane, Allie, Rae, Theron, L. Hlongwane, Kewuti, Graham, Soukouna, B. Hlongwane.

Subs: Petersen, Human, Claasen, Skelem, Bhengu, Zumah, Dlamuka, Ritchie, Bennett

Orlando Pirates XI: Mpontshane, Jele, Sam, Ndah, Mako, Monare, Makaringe, Mntambo, Shandu, Dzvukamanja, Mabasa.

Subs: Sandilands, Peprah, Mabaso, Bophela, Mngonyama, Dlamini, Hlatshwayo, Makgaka, Hotto.