Orlando Pirates started life after Jose Riveiro on a rather sour note. TS Galaxy snatched a point at the death to end their Betway Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Galaxy substitute Mpho Mvelase, who caught the Pirates defence napping and found the back of the net.
Bandile Shandu was the goal scorer for the Buccaneers, with an easy tap-in from a Mohau Nkota pass in the 64th minute to take their tally of points to 58 in the Betway Premiership standings.
For Galaxy, the result means they remain in position five with 35 points and have solidified their place in the top eight.
The Buccaneers, on the other hand, still have three more games to play with the league title already gone to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Bucs interim coach Mandla Ncikazi did not make a lot of changes to the team that started Riveiro’s final game midweek. Youngster Simphiwe Selepe made the starting lineup for the second game in a row.
The first half was relatively uninspiring as neither side created any clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities.
The second half was slightly better, as Pirates caused problems for the Rockets upfront and finally broke the deadlock through Shandu, who got on the scoresheet back-to-back.
Galaxy did, however, snatched a point in the dying minutes through substitute Mvelase to conclude their league campaign on a decent note.
In other matches across the country, Kaizer Chiefs played to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Sekhukhune United, as their chances of finishing in the top eight suffered a setback and will have to win their last match at home against Polokwane City next Saturday.
City will be heading into their final game against Chiefs wounded as they were handed a 2-0 defeat by Cape Town City.
Richards Bay and Golden Arrows played to a goalless draw in their KZN derby, while Marumo Gallants and Chippa United also played to a 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein.
Stellenbosch FC continued their impressive run with a 2-1 victory over strugglers SuperSport United at the Danie Craven Stadium.
