HT Report: Pirates 0-0 Durban City, Bucs Star Injured!

Orlando Pirates could not find a way past Durban City in the opening 45 minutes of their Betway Premiership clash on Saturday afternoon.

Halftime: Orlando Pirates 0-0 Durban City

With Mamelodi Sundowns losing to TS Galaxy on Tuesday in their final league game, the fate of the league title was firmly in the hands of the Buccaneers, who only needed a win to move level on points with the league leaders.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou surprised many by handing a first start of the season to Simphiwe Selepe, who was involved in the DStv Diski Challenge last weekend while Yanela Mbuthuma was given the nod in the attack ahead of Evidence Makgopa.

The visitors were in for a long afternoon and unsurprisingly sat back for most of the first half, looking to frustrate the Soweto giants who were finding it tough carve out clear-cut chances despite the presence of Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.

With the hosts struggling to carve out any opening, they were dealt a blow in the final eight minutes of the first half as Mbuthuma's afternoon came to an end after 38 minutes due to an injury, with Ouaddou option to introduce Makgopa, much to the joy of the home supporters.

Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Seema, Sibisi, Hotto, Sebelebele, Selepe, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Appollis, Mbuthuma

Subs: Buthelezi, Chabatsane, Ndaba, Makhaula, Dansin, Mariko, Moremi, De Jong, Makgopa

Durban City: Asare, Mkhize, Poggenpoel, Mashego, Nodada, Ncanana, Jurgens, Jalai, Kamatuka, Mokwena

Subs: Keet, Mahlangu, Gcaba, Maarman, Kaopeng, Domingo, Sifumba, De Kock, Goedeman