Simphiwe Selepe to the rescue after Patrick Maswanganyi's own goal almost sank Orlando Pirates against AmaZulu as the Buccaneers feel the pinch of Jose Riveiro's exit

After a drab and goalless first half at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the match then came into life in the second period, but Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu still failed to separate each other.

Things took a negative turn for the Buccaneers on 66 minutes when Patrick Maswanganyi beat his own goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine, who was back after being rested in their last outing against SuperSport United.

But with 13 minutes to go, Simphiwe Selepe rescued a point for Pirates with a shot through a forest of legs inside the box that might have distracted Usuthu goalkeeper Andile Mbanjwa, who had replaced Richard Ofori.

It ended 1-1 and the Buccaneers had gone into this game already guaranteed to end the season in second position.

Usuthu now finish the campaign on position six and will play in the MTN8 next season.

Former Pirates defender Sandile Mthethwa was solid at the back and frustrated his ex-teammates.

He was duly named Man of the Match for helping Usuthu stay tight at the back.

This was caretaker coach Mandla Ncikazi's second draw in the three PSL matches he has been in charge since Jose Riveiro left the club.

That kills the slim chances he might have had to be considered for a substantive head coach role.

It was also a bad day in the office for Maswanganyi, who started the season well but lost form in the second half of the season.

This was AmaZulu's final match of the 2024/25 PSL season and they now go for the off-season break before returning for next term.

As for the Buccaneers, they are now left with one game before they conclude their league campaign and they host Magesi FC on Wednesday in what would be a dead rubber for both teams.