By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates failed to win for a second straight Premier Soccer League match following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Moroka Swallows at Dobsonville Stadium.
The Buccaneers had to claw back into the contest through Patrick Maswanganyi’s 53rd-minute goal which cancelled Lindokuhle Mtshali’s 27th-minute strike for Swallows.
After dropping two points, Pirates remain fourth in the PSL standings while the Dube Birds climbed one place into 12th.
Bafana Bafana defender Nkosilathi Sibisi was red-carded in stoppage time to leave Pirates with 10 men as a SuperSport TV presenter attributed the sending-off to the use of foul language towards the referee.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made changes in central defence where Nkosilathi Sibisi replaced Olisa Ndah to partner with Tapelo Xoki.
Monnapule Saleng was out injured as Tshegofatso Mabasa led their attack in the absence of Evidence Makgopa and Zakhele Lepasa who came on as a late substitute.
Hosts Swallows had no Frank Mhango, who was out due to suspension, leaving Letsie Koapeng to spearhead their frontline.
It was a first half of a few chances with neither side providing much of a threat.
But the Dube Birds went ahead when Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine’s poor clearance landed in Mtshali’s path for the Swallows attacker to fire a low shot into the far corner.
When Swallows appeared to be in control of proceedings, Maswanganyi cooly connected a feed from Thabiso Lebitso to level matters.
Maswaiswai held on until the end of the match even after Riveiro threw in Lepasa to try and improve things upfront.
Sibisi then received a straight red card in stoppage time after remonstrating with the referee.
Meanwhile at Mpumalanga Stadium, SuperSport United recorded their fifth straight PSL draw after being held 2-2 by hosts Golden Arrows.
Ime Okon and Terrence Dzvukamanja’s first-half goals were cancelled by Lungelo Nguse and Gladwin Shitolo’s late goals that helped Arrows stay in eight.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates forward Relebohile Mofokeng challenged by Moroka Swallows’ Mashweu Mphahlele
Image source: Orlando Pirates
