Orlando Pirates scored two late goals to salvage a 2-2 draw with FC Platinum in their Group B Caf Champions League clash at the Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
Pirates were looking for nothing but the three points in the build up to keep the pressure on the two teams above them in the group, Horoya and Esperance.
The away side got off to a good start and won a penalty with 19 minutes gone when Marcelo was judged to have handled in the box. Pirates keeper Sandilands, however, produced a good save from Never Tigere’s shot to keep the scores leve
Tigere though bounced back quickly to fire his side into the lead with a deflected shot in the 27th minute. His shot bouncing off Alfred Ndengane before beating Sandilands, 0-1.
Just 10 minutes later the Zimbabweans doubled their lead when Rainsome Pavari had an easy tap-in at the front post Perfect Chikwende left Ndengane in his wake during the build-up.
Pirates could not pull one back before the break and trailed 2-0 at halftime.
After a slow start to the second stanza Milutin Sredojevic’s men eventually began to threaten as Justin Shonga had a well taken free kick saved ten minutes into the half.
Shonga had another guilt edged chance to take the lead with 72 minutes gone, but his free header was saved by Mhari following a cross from Memela.
The Buccaneers eventually got back into the game in the 81st minute as Thembinkosi Lorch smashed his shot past Mhari at his near post after to give his side some hope.
Then three minutes before the end of the 90 Augustine Mulenga grabbed the vital equaliser as he stroked his shot into the top corner following a well-worked corner-kick.
Pirates continued to throw men forward in search of a winner, but it was not too be for the Soweto Giants who no remain third in Group B with six points, a point behind second-placed Horoya while the already eliminated Platinum remained rock bottom with two points.
Sredojevic’s men will now need to win away against Horoya in their final group game to secure progression to the knockouts.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix