Orlando Pirates needed a last minute leveller to secure a 1-1 draw against Baroka FC at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night. A Siyabonga Mpontshane howler allowed Victor Letsoalo's shot find the back before Issa Sarr netted the equaliser in the final seconds of the game. There were early warning signs for Pirates as Maboke Matlakala rose, completely unmarked, to head a corner kick wide of goal. Ten minutes later and Mpontshane was forced to fly across goal as Jose Garcia curled his free kick around the wall and on target. The home side eventually began to find their feet and Tendai Ndoro received some service in the box before firing towards goal on the turn only to see his shot deflected behind for a corner.
Not long afterwards Ndoro picked up Thabo Rakhale's square ball but Olaleng Shaku threw his body in front of the effort to deny the Zimbabwe international. The period around the 30 minute mark was Pirates' best spell and Thabo Matlaba fancied his chances from range but saw his fierce shot drift wide of goal. Baroka regained their earlier momentum as the half neared its end and Garcia displayed great technique to unleash a shot from 30 yards that grazed the top of the net. Mpontshane was at fault mimutes before the interval for affording Bakgaga a chance when his miskick was picked up by Kunene who curled an effort towards goal only for the 'keeper to make amends and hold onto the strike.
Immediately after the restart Baroka had another great chance as Garcia's stinging corner was met by Shaku who couldn't head towards goal with enough conviction. With chances at a premium Matlaba resorted to a shot from range which was well held before Pirates eventually cracked open the opposition defence and Masuluke denied Thamsanqa Gabuza from point blank range. Substitute Letsoalo was proving a nuisance and his fiere effort from distance required a one-handed intervention from Mpontshane. Having not heeded the earlier warning Pirates again gave Letsoalo space to shoot again and what should have been a routine stop from Mpontshane cracked off his arms and into the net. Being a goal down the home side needed a way back and Sarr almost came up with answer but Masuluke turned his headed effort behind. However, Sarr was not to be denied in the dying moments of the match as his header flew past a despairing Masuluke.
Orlando Pirates: Mpontshane, Gcaba, Jele, Matlaba, Phungwayo, Sarr, Shitolo, Manyisa, Rakhale (Wome 77'), Makola (Qalinge 46'), Ndoro (Gabuza 46').
Baroka: Masuluke, Mapetho, Kgoetyane, Shaku, Madubanya (Zikalala 68'), Garcia (Letsoalo 62'), Munetsi, Masenamela, Ogle (Kgaswane 76'), Kunene, Matlakala.
