The result meant that the Buccaneers shared points for the first time in the league at the 18th time of asking this season. It also denied them a chance to inch closer to the top of the standings in their bid to narrow the gap between themselves and the table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns.

In their fourth straight away fixture, Jose Riveiro’s charges were looking to add a third consecutive win as they returned to league football after a successful cup outing over the weekend. They were not immediately able to find cohesion at Athlone with the home side looking the more threatening of the two throughout the first 10 minutes.

Pirates gradually found some rhythm as they grew into the game, but could only muster an ambitious shot from the boot of Relebohile Mofokeng. The 20-year-old worked himself into space from a long way out and his effort at goal lacked the necessary to trouble goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke.

The Stellies shot-stopper was again untroubled as he comfortably kept out a left-footed effort from Tshegofatso Mabasa in the 28th minute. His opposite number Sipho Chaine also did not break much of a sweat as Genino Palace fired straight at him a few moments later.

The game was flipped on its head just after the hour mark when Brian Onyango’s desperate attempt to stop Mabasa landed him in hot water. The defender’s over-enthusiastic challenge earned him a straight red, tilting the advantage to the visitors.

Bucs midfielder Kabelo Dlamini was tasked with set piece duties and went just inches close to producing the opener as his firmly-taken shot beat Masuluke before rattling onto the crossbar. That turned out to be the chance of the first half with the Buccaneers’ failing to make the most of their numerical advantage ahead of the break.

Their long, fruitless toil continued well into the second half with the home side closing up shop. The men from the Winelands did manage a few forays into Bucs territory, but were unable to land a blow as the defensive pair of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezile Mbokazi held their shape. It was at the other end where they committed most men, forming an effective shield against the visitors’ relentless attacks. 

Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng could not breach the sea of maroon with their shots at goal before the latter finally managed to draw Masuluke into a save in the 76th minute. The net was sent bulging three minutes later as Mabasa headed in from close range. The Bucs striker was however adjudged offside, adding to the evening’s frustration.

Stellenbosch nearly manufactured a late winner out of nothing when a deflected shot from Enyinnaya Godswill created an awkward bounce for Chaine. The goalkeeper however recovered to make a crucial save.

The visitors continued to probe in the dying moments, dominating possession without much joy inside the attacking third. It was not to be their night in the end as they could only pick up a solitary point that took this season’s tally to 40.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Van Rooyen (Shandu 87’), Hotto, Makhaula, Mosele (Ndlondlo 78’), Dlamini (Maswanganyi 62’), Nkota, Mofokeng, Mabasa.

As the 10th game week of this season’s DDC action wraps up, two teams currently in the top half of the standings clash in a matchup known that has delivered some gripping contests in recent years.

Form Guide

It’s a tough assignment for the Bucs Reserves, who cross paths with the defending champions a week after a tough result at home. They lost 3-2 in their game against Gauteng rivals SuperSport United, their second defeat in the ongoing campaign.

This meant that they were unable to add to their 15 points earned through four wins and three draws in their previous fixtures. It was the latest result in what has been a few weeks of mixed results for Pirates, who have won just two of their last five games with a stalemate at home taking their tally to seven points during this period.

Having started the weekend in fifth place, they will be looking for a win that could place them two points of their hosts, who go into the clash sitting at the summit after nagging 20 points in their nine matches.

For Stellies, the showdown with the young Buccaneers comes amid a fruitful spell of results. A goalless stalemate away to Kaizer Chiefs left them two points short of a possible 15 in their last five games.

They have lost only once since the beginning of the season and will look to pull away from the chasing pack as they go in search of an unprecedented third title in the DDC.

Head-to-Head

The Bucs Reserves and their Maroons’ counterparts have had a few titanic tussles over the years. Close margins have decided the fixtures between the two sides, most recently in the previous campaign where the team from the Cape Winelands prevailed with a 1-0 scoreline in each of the two games played.

Victory has eluded the young Buccaneers since the 2021/22 season where Mpumelelo Ndaba’s second-half strike handed them a win away from home. This was avenged through a fighting comeback in the latter half of the same campaign when Jarred van de Burg and Devin Titus netted to hand their side the three points away from home after Ndumiso Ngiba had opened the scoring for the hosts.

In the last six games between the two sides, Stellenbosch have won three with Pirates bagging one victory, while two matches have finished in a share of the spoils. As a result, the reigning champions also lead the goal-scoring stakes with six scored and four conceded.

How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves vs Stellenbosch Reserves

The game kicks off at 10:00 and will not be televised. Live updates will be provided across Orlando Pirates social media platforms.