Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu played to a rather frustrating 0-0 draw as both sides were looking to get maximum points and move further up the table during their DStv Premiership league game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday night.
Pirates now languish on number 13 on the log standings with eight points while AmaZulu sit on number 10 with 11 points.
Bucs coach Jose Riveiro named three changes to the team that beat Cape Town Spurs in the Carling Black Label Knockout last week.
Goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi was in goals as he replaced injured Sipho Chaine, while Thabiso Monyane and Siphelo Baloni started ahead of Miguel Timm and Bandile Shandu.
Riveiro’s countryman Pablo Franco made four changes to the team that caused an upset and knocked out Kaizer Chiefs out of the knockout competition.
Midfielder Ben Motshwari was also given a nod, as he went up against his parent club since securing a loan move recently.
The encounter was also a battle of who had the best Spanish tactics between Riveiro and Franco.
The meeting between Spanish coaches became the first in the history of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Both sides went into the game at the back of a Carling knockout victories, with Usuthu looking to do a double on Soweto teams in a space of three days, while the Sea Robbers were desperate to get maximum points and move further away from the relegation zone.
The first half was relatively uninspiring, as neither side created enough goal scoring opportunities and went into half-time level.
The tempo of the game picked up towards the end of the second half, with the Buccaneers looking the most dangerous side to breaking the deadlock but did not threaten Veli Mothwa’s goal.
In the 75th minute, striker Evidence Makgopa missed what was the biggest chance of the game, when he his free header inside the box went wide off the post.
Pirates’ skillful midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi could have scored in stoppage time, but he ballooned his effort well over the post and settled for a disappointing goalless draw.
