Orlando Pirates slip up against Baroka again

That Orlando Pirates had only beaten Baroka FC, a team considered as minnows in the Premier Soccer League, only twice in the previous eight league meetings before yesterday's 1-1 draw shows just how much the Buccaneers have sunk to ordinary levels in recent times.

Tshegofatso Mabasa's referee's optional time equalizer gave Bucs yet another draw against the Limpopo team in only its fifth campaign in the DStv Premiership.

Pirates looked to stretch their record against Baroka to its lowest level when they succumbed to Ananias Gebhardt's 47th minute strike before Mabasa, who scored their winner against SuperSport United last weekend, found a priceless point for Josef Zinnbauer's team.

Baroka's first ever league victory against Bucs looked on course when Richard Ofori, the Pirates keeper, dropped a tame Nhlanhla Mgaga's free kick in the area for the Namibian defender to pounce.

There was hope that Pirates are strong enough to turn things around things this season having won four matches on a trot in all competitions before yesterday's draw against the Limpopo club.

Pirates had played better and controlled most of their previous matches when they had Ben Motshwari and Thabang Monare orchestrating their attacks from the centre of the park. But both these midfielders were part of the five changes made by coach Josef Zinnbauer in yesterday's match.

The absence of the duo perhaps led to Bucs lacking in decision making that saw them only making two notable shots on goal in a poor and forgettable fist stanza.

Zakhele Lepasa shot wide when he had time and space in the area in the 33rd minute and was further denied a minute before the end the first half when his great header was parried out for a corner by Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke.

His side is far from a finished article

The poor game management that led to Bucs drawing twice (2-2 away and 1-1 at home) against Baroka last season, reared its ugly head again in yesterday's game, with Siphesihle Ndlovu, Linda Mntambo and Fortune Makaringe struggling to match Motshwari and Monare's nous in Pirates engine room.

It nearly became worse for Bucs after the restart when Baroka took the lead that they did well to cancel after Zinnbauer had introduced Mabasa, Deon Hotto and Gabadinho Mhango in the second half.

That Bucs coach has been at pains, telling everyone who'll listen that his side is far from being a finished article, was perfectly demonstrated in yesterday's match where the German's team couldn't take full advantage of playing at home.

Yesterday's draw was Baroka's second in five league matches in which they've won the other two. Both teams remain in the top half but they'll have to do better than yesterday to mount any serious charge to the league title.