United and Pirates share spoils
An own goal saw United escape with a draw in Atteridgeville.
SuperSport United played to a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates in a crucial DStv Premiership encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday evening.
The Pretoria side started the match four points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and knew nothing but a win would keep their title chase intact.
United did not have a good start as they conceded an early goal through Vincent Pule. Pirates were the better team in the first half forcing the away side to defend and conceded a lot of set-pieces in the first half.
At the beginning of the second half, coach Kaitano Tembo brought in speedy winger Guily Manziba for Kuda Mahachi and that brought a spark in United’s attack.
The DRC international gave Pirates a hard time with his speedy space going forward as he whipped quality deliveries on the right wing.
As United looked for the equaliser, Tembo brought in midfielder Teboho Mokoena for Lucky Mohomi as well as Evans Rusike for Thamsanqa Gabuza.
In the 59th minute Sipho Mbule brought in a beautiful delivery into the box but Luke Fleurs mistimed his header and the ball just went across the goal posts.
As United pushed for an equaliser, they initiated an Interplay in the 66th minute with Sipho Mbule laying the ball to Manziba who sent a deep cross on the right to Lungu who controlled it brilliantly and his left foot shot forced Pirates’ defender Ben Motshwari to score an own goal.
Following the equaliser, Pirates pushed for the winner and nearly scored in the 89th minute however Fleurs cleared Hotto’s low shot.
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