There was no separating Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars as they played to an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Hat-trick hero Mogakolodi Ngele fired Dikwena in front after 33 minutes before Mpho Makola levelled matters on the stroke of half-time following a defensive mix-up in the box. It was Ngele who had the last say of the first half, though, stroking home a free-kick deep in injury time. Oupa Manyisa put Pirates back on even terms two minutes after the restart, before Ngele bagged his third of the evening on 68 minutes. Just when it looked as if the visitors would walk away with the spoils, Issa Sarr popped up to level the scores on 86 minutes.
Pirates started the encounter on the front foot and threatened early on through Lennox Bacela, who saw his flicked header fly wide of the mark.
Hat-trick hero Mogakolodi Ngele fired Dikwena in front after 33 minutes before Mpho Makola levelled matters on the stroke of half-time following a defensive mix-up in the box. It was Ngele who had the last say of the first half, though, stroking home a free-kick deep in injury time. Oupa Manyisa put Pirates back on even terms two minutes after the restart, before Ngele bagged his third of the evening on 68 minutes. Just when it looked as if the visitors would walk away with the spoils, Issa Sarr popped up to level the scores on 86 minutes.
Pirates started the encounter on the front foot and threatened early on through Lennox Bacela, who saw his flicked header fly wide of the mark.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Ngele somehow failed to hit the target in the 18th minute when well placed to score, before seeing his powerful effort kept out by Brighton Mhlongo in the Buccaneers goal on 28 minutes.
The forward wasn't to be denied in the 33rd minute, however, as he latched on to a pass from Robert Ng'ambi, before firing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
The goal sparked the hosts into action and they piled forward in search of an equaliser. Following a passage of sustained pressure, Pirates eventually drew level on the stroke of half-time, Makola tapping into an unguarded net after the Stars defence had failed to clear the danger.
As the match entered the last minute of injury time, Ngele fired Dikwena back in front with a superb curling free-kick from the edge of the Pirates box.
The Buccaneers came flying out of the traps following the half-time break and restored parity just two minutes in, Oupa Mayisa bagging the all-important goal after being teed up by Makola.
However, just as was the case in the first half, Ngele was causing the Bucs defence all sorts of problems and he went close to netting his third of the evening in the 63rd minute. Half-time substitute Siyabonga Mpontshane was up to the task, keeping out Ngele's goal-bound effort with ease.
Ngele eventually got his third on 68 minutes following a pinpoint pass from Ndumiso Mabena, silencing the home crowd.
Pirates struggled to muster a response after going behind for the third time, but they stuck to the task at hand and eventually got the breakthrough they were looking for in the 86th minute, Sarr heading home from Myeni's cross.
Substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro had a glorious chance to snatch all three points for Pirates three minutes later but he failed to find the mark, ensuring the match would end in stalemate.
The forward wasn't to be denied in the 33rd minute, however, as he latched on to a pass from Robert Ng'ambi, before firing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
The goal sparked the hosts into action and they piled forward in search of an equaliser. Following a passage of sustained pressure, Pirates eventually drew level on the stroke of half-time, Makola tapping into an unguarded net after the Stars defence had failed to clear the danger.
As the match entered the last minute of injury time, Ngele fired Dikwena back in front with a superb curling free-kick from the edge of the Pirates box.
The Buccaneers came flying out of the traps following the half-time break and restored parity just two minutes in, Oupa Mayisa bagging the all-important goal after being teed up by Makola.
However, just as was the case in the first half, Ngele was causing the Bucs defence all sorts of problems and he went close to netting his third of the evening in the 63rd minute. Half-time substitute Siyabonga Mpontshane was up to the task, keeping out Ngele's goal-bound effort with ease.
Ngele eventually got his third on 68 minutes following a pinpoint pass from Ndumiso Mabena, silencing the home crowd.
Pirates struggled to muster a response after going behind for the third time, but they stuck to the task at hand and eventually got the breakthrough they were looking for in the 86th minute, Sarr heading home from Myeni's cross.
Substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro had a glorious chance to snatch all three points for Pirates three minutes later but he failed to find the mark, ensuring the match would end in stalemate.
By: Farai Diza
RSS Feed