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Pirates interim coach Ncikazi signs off with Magesi draw

football28 May 2025 19:42| © Backpage TXT
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Mandla Ncikazi ended his four-match tenure unbeaten after Orlando Pirates played out to a 1-1 draw with Magesi at the Orlando Stadium in their final outing of the season on Wednesday.

Ncikazi's side broke the deadlock early on through Patrick Maswanganyi, but Edmore Chirambadare hit back for Dikwena tsa Meetse before halftime to earn them a point which placed them just behind Chippa United on goal difference in 12th position.

Ncikazi had picked up five points from his first three games in charge and was looking to finish on a high, while the Limpopo outfit were hoping to snap a three-match winless run.

The hosts made a bright start and threatened as early as the opening minute when Maswanganyi flashed a first-time shot wide of the target after being set up by Boitumelo Radiopane.

Pirates hit the front just six minutes later as they caught out Owen Da Gama's side from a set-piece routine.

After making a couple of dummy runs, Relebohile Mofokeng played the free-kick to Maswanganyi, who beat Chipezeze from the top of the D with the defence too slow to react.

The Soweto giants turned defence into attack in the 17th minute which was started by Sipho Chaine from a Magesi free-kick and resulted in Mohau Nkota getting off a shot that was saved by Elvis Chipezeze.

However, the visitors responded on 32 minutes following a mistake from Nkosinathi Sibisi, allowing Thabang Sibanyoni to play Edmore Chirambadare into space on the left and Zimbabwean winger finished well.

The Sea Robbers came out of the blocks flying in the second half, with Innocent Maela heading wide from a corner in the 49th minute before Nkota latched onto a loose ball and fired over the crossbar on 53 minutes.

Nkota had another sniff at goal on the hour mark as he cut inside from the right and lined up a shot that flew narrowly over the target, while Chipezeze was alert to the danger four minutes later to deny Maswanganyi his second.

The Zimbabwean goalkeeper also saved Tshegofatso Mabasa's header from a free-kick on 70 minutes and was called into action again two minutes later to keep out an effort from Nkota, who popped up on the left on this occasion.

Try as they might, Bucs were just not able find a second goal as Mofokeng failed to trouble Chipezeze in the 88th minute after being teed up by Mabasa.

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Maswanganyi 7')

Magesi (1) 1 (Chirambadare 32')

ORLANDO PIRATES: S. Chaine, B. Shandu, N. Sibisi, M. Mbokazi, I. Maela (Y. Madiba 67'), S. Selepe, P. Maswanganyi (K. Kimvuidi 84'), T. Mbatha (C. Dansin 46'), M. Nkota (T. Moleleki 79'), B. Radiopane (T. Mabasa 66'), R. Mofokeng.

MAGESI: E. Chipezeze, D. Abrahams, T. Makgoga (T. Masegela 46'), M. Buthelezi (B. Komane 81'), L. Mokone, D. Mekoa, M. Vandala, M. Matima, L. Mtshali (G. Mashikinya 86'), E. Chirambadare (N. Makhubela 75'), T. Sibanyoni (B. Baloyi 86').

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