Durban's Spanish dance turns dull as Pirates' unblemished record against AmaZulu holds firm

Orlando Pirates battled to a goalless draw against AmaZulu FC in the DStv Premiership in a Tuesday evening showdown at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The anticipation was palpable, not so much for the clash between Usuthu and the Buccaneers but for the intrigue within the dugouts.

The sidelines, it seemed, held as much allure as the action on the pitch as both head coaches hail from Spain.

In the home den, 43-year-old Pablo Franco Martín made his entrance ahead of the 2023/24 season, his work in South Africa shrouded in mystery, much like his counterparts on the opposing side who had arrived in the country just a year prior. In the away dugout, with unwavering determination, Jose Riveiro ensured that his name would echo within the annals of South African football within a mere 12 months. His guidance led the Buccaneers to victory in the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, with a commendable second-place finish in the league.

But Martin laid down the gauntlet ahead of the fixture, where the two Spaniards will clash for the first time on South African soil. He first publicly stated that the Buccaneers have been given preferential treatment regarding their fixture scheduling before revealing his excitement for the encounter.

However, Martin's charges did not hold the same excitement as he did as they could not register a shot on target in the first half.

The early exchanges of the match saw the Buccaneers commanding possession, and they threatened AmaZulu's goal as Thabiso Monyane unleashed a shot, which was met with a solid save by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.

Pirates maintained their offensive pressure after the half-hour mark, with Mothwa denying Evidence Makgopa's header attempt, ensuring the score remained locked at half-time.

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