The Buccaneers were forced to share the spoils in the semi-final match at DHL Stadium
Orlando Pirates failed to gain a first leg advantage in the MTN8 semi-final following a 1-1 draw away to Cape Town City on Wednesday.
The match, delayed for one day, having been postponed on Tuesday due to bad weather, had the winds blowing Pirates’ way early on when teen sensation Relebohile Mofokeng scored a beautiful goal to break the deadlock after 15 minutes.
A good ball lofted over from the defence into the Cape Town box saw the youngster chest it down, waiting for it to bounce before firing a left-footed stunner into the net.
The goal settled the nerves for Pirates as they bossed the proceedings early in the first half with Patrick Maswanganyi coming close to scoring a second after pouncing on a loose ball before his first-time shot was headed out by Tshegofatso Nyama.
Cape Town City upped their game in the second half
Cape Town’s first real opportunity arrived on the stroke of halftime when Sipho Chaine was forced into a great save to deny Jaedin Rhodes before the two teams went into the break with Pirates leading 1-0.
However, the Citizens upped the ante in the second half, pressing Pirates high and forcing Jose Riveiro’s men to easily lose possession.
They were rewarded in the 61st minute when Rhodes fired home the equaliser via a deflected shot.
Rhodes positioned himself between Olisah Ndan and Thabiso Monyane to receive the ball and fired home, the ball defecting off the latter, to go past Chaine in the Pirates goal.
The winger came close to doubling his advantage in the 75th minute when he forced Chaine into a fingertip save.
Can Pirates complete the job in the second leg?
Pirates then had their chances, Deon Hotto making a good run on the left wing before a cutback but no one was in the box to direct the ball into the net and the fullback also came close in the dying minutes when he forced Cape Town goalkeeper Darren Keet to save at his near post following a counter-attacking run started by new signing Gilberto.
In the end, the spoils were shared and Pirates now have the pressure of ensuring they secure victory in the second leg at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday to proceed to the final.
