Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 6y

Orlando Pirates held by basement boys Platinum Stars

Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Premier Soccer League basement boys Platinum Stars on Wednesday night, another stumble in their hopeful revival under coach Micho Sredojevic.

Stars, who are yet to win a game this season after eight matches, gave as good as they got in an even contest at Soccer City.

After a goalless first half, Pirates surged forward seconds after the break when Thabo Matlaba blasted the ball home from the edge of the box for one of his trademark spectacular goals.

However, that lead lasted just three minutes before Stars were level as Robert Ng'ambi played the ball into Bongi Ntuli, and the forward turned the Pirates defence before poking the ball past Wayne Sandilands in the home goal.

Mpho Makola also struck the crossbar for Pirates from a free-kick, while Stars keeper Dino Visser made a number of crucial saves.

The point takes Pirates into third, three behind leaders Baroka FC, with the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs looming on Saturday.

Stars remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Baroka and second-placed Lamontville Golden Arrows played to a 1-1 draw in Polokwane in what was a top-of-the-table clash few would have predicted at the start of the campaign.

Sipho Moeti had the home side in front on 15 minutes, but Golden Arrows, showing far more steel than in previous seasons, levelled through Siphelele Magubane.

Moeti's goal came from a howler by Golden Arrows keeper Nkosi Gumede, who failed to control a backpass and allowed the Baroka player to score.

Polokwane City claimed just a second win of the season when they edged AmaZulu in a five-goal thriller in Durban.

City led from a thunderous free-kick by left-back Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali, but the home side equalised just after half time through Rhulani Manzini, also from a set piece.

They were on top at that stage, but minutes later AmaZulu conceded again when Walter Musona was able to find space in the box and score despite a despairing effort to keep it out on the line.

The points looked to be safe when Rodney Ramagalela scored his fifth goal of the season for City with five minutes to go to make the score 3-1, but there was still late drama as Mhlengi Cele scored again for AmaZulu, who could not find the equaliser.

Free State Stars piled the pressure on Ajax Cape Town boss Stanley Menzo with a 2-0 win in Bethlehem as goals either side of halftime by Edward Manqele, his first since returning to the club, and Mohammed Anas secured the three points.

In the other fixture on Wednesday, Chippa United and Maritzburg United played to a 0-0 draw in Port Elizabeth.

^ Back to Top ^