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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Absa Premiership clash against Platinum Stars at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
Thabiso Kutumela’s first goal for the Buccaneers looked set to secure three points – and a return to the summit of the league standings – but Thobani Kunene equalised to earn Dikwena a share of the spoils.
Stars were the first to threaten a goal, with attacking midfielder Robert Ng’ambi latching onto a poor clearance from Issa Sarr and striking a shot from the ‘D’ of the box that flew just wide of the target in the 13th minute. It was the first of numerous efforts from Dikwena, but too few of them troubled Bucs goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo.
Just before the hour mark the Buccaneers had their first shot on target, with Mpho Makola having an effort from the edge of the box which was palmed away by Mzimela, and a short while later the Stars ‘keeper produced another fine save to deny substitute Thabiso Kutumela.
The Rustenburg side were inches away from claiming the lead in the 70th minute when Mabena fired a shot from 25 metres which had the beating of Benson Mhlongo but rebounded back into play after rattling the woodwork.
Seven minutes later the visitors were made to pay for their missed chances, with Kutumela netting his first goal in Pirates colours to break the deadlock. The substitute earned a free kick on the edge of the box and proceeded to score directly from the set piece, stroking a low shot into the bottom corner.
If Pirates thought they were going to hold out for another victory, they were sorely mistaken: in the opening seconds of injury time, Dikwena forced an equaliser when substitute Thobani Kunene got on the end of a corner kick and scored with a perfectly placed header which went into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
