Pirates, Platinum share the spoils in Bulawayo

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Jan 12, 2019. 17:24

Orlando Pirates and FC Platinum played to a 0-0 draw in a Group B 2019 Caf Champions League clash at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday afternoon.

Following a lively first-half that promised much, the intensity died down in the second as both teams eventually settled for a point apiece.

Pirates next host Horoya while the Zimbabwean champions travel to Tunisia for a clash against the CafCL holders, Esperance de Tunis next weekend.

Justin Shonga and Kelvin Madzongwe forced either goalkeeper into an early save as both teams pressed forward in search of a goal. The latter with a rocket of a shot from range that brought the best out of Jackson Mabokgwane.

The Buccaneers amped up the pressure in the closing stages of the clash with Innocent Maela and Thembinkosi Lorch seeing respective attempts fly inches wide and straight at Petros Mhari respectively.

Shonga then brought the best out of the Platinum skipper on the stroke of half-time. The shot-stopper, though, was up to the task, diving to his right to keep out the Zambian's rasping free-kick.

Chances were non-existent in the second half as both teams ultimately settled for a point apiece in Zimbabwe's second largest city.

FC Platinum (0) 0

Orlando Pirates (0) 0

FC Platinum: Mhari; Madhanaga, Chafa, Madzongwe, Muduviwa, Dube (Nhamo 86'), Sadiki (Mbweti 77'), Stima, Bello, Kutsanzira, E.Moyo.

Orlando Pirates: Mabokgwane; Mbekile, Jele, Ndengane, Maela, Munetsi, Mlambo (Mntambo 86'), Nyatama, Mahachi (Pule 74'), Lorch, Shonga (Mulenga 65').