Orlando Pirates are away to new PSL boys Marumo Gallants for their second league game of the season, and all eyes are on the Soweto giants.
Pirates drew their opening league match 2-2 at home against Stellenbosch FC last weekend with Ntsikelelo Nyauza receiving a straight red cards.
And as expected, the technical team has had to make changes from their previous team that started against Stellies.
We are underway at the Peter Mokaba Stadium!
Both teams are still assessing each other’s strengths and weaknesses after the first 15 minutes.
It is still 0-0.
No clearcut goalscoring chances from either side after 25 minutes as both Nkanyiso Zungu and Kabelo Dlamini are forced to shoot from distance.
Richard Ofori is forced to come out of his line to make a clearance from a Gallants cross into the box, and Pirates eventually recover and get behind the ball.
The stadium lights go off, and the referee is forced to stop the game immediately.
We are back underway after two minutes of stoppage time, and we are less than 10 minutes before the break.
We’ve come of the first half, and It’s Gallants 0-0 Pirates.
It’s the start of the second half, and Pirates make a change, bringing in Terrence Dzvukamanja for Gabadinho Mhango.
Pirates are looking more dangerous in the final third after the first 10 minutes of the second half but they still lack that finishing touch.
Gallants bring in two attacking players in Katlego Otladisa and Joseph Molongoane to try and take the game to Pirates.
Gallants hit the crossbar following a corner kick that was floated into the Pirates box, and Ofori looked beaten there.
Now, into the final 15 minutes and it’s still 0-0.
Hotto in with a chance to break the deadlock as comes one-on-one with Washington Arubi but the veteran goalkeeper makes a fine block.
STARTING XI
Marumo Gallants XI:Â Arubi, Hlatshwayo, Ravhuhali, Nkili, Nonyane, Ngema, Ndlondlo, Dion, Mnyamane, Manaka, Mvelase.
Subs: Ndlovu, Otladisa, Matlakala, Khiba, Seanego, Nkosi, Malongoane, Mabotja, Monde.
Orlando Pirates XI:Â Ofori, Hlatshwayo, Jele, Shandu, Hotto, Mabaso, Mosele, Zungu, Pule, Dlamini, Mhango.
Subs: Mpontshane, Mthethwa, Dzvukamanja, Cwinyane, Tlolane, Sam, Makgaka, Ndlovu, Mabasa.