Orlando Pirates held by Cape Town City ahead of Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs

Cape Town — Orlando Pirates warmed up for the big Soweto derby against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs with a goalless draw against Cape Town City on Wednesday evening.

The home team dominated the possession stakes and created plenty of scoring opportunities, but could not find a way past the impressive Hugo Marques in the City goal.

The Buccaneers intentions were clear from the outset with Hugo called on early in the piece to thwart a powerful drive from Bandile Shandu.

The Angolan international was easily the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening exchanges with Pirates converting the possession dominance into chances.

Marques was thrust into a fine save yet again at his near post after an incisive pass from the right wing slipped Deon Hotto into the danger zone.

The pressure exerted by Pirates seemed to tell on the City defence when the visitors gifted the Buccaneers a gilt-edged opportunity to open the scoring just after the half hour mark.

Instead of clearing their lines from a place kick, City central defender Taariq Fielies put Hugo under immense pressure with a back pass inside the five-yard box.

With Pirates employing a high press, Hugo’s attempted clearance was blocked inside the penalty area, which allowed Kabelo Dlamini to play the ball across the City goal into the path of Thabang Monare. The central midfielder let City off the hook by blasting his left-footed shot way off target.

City though seemed intent to play Russian roulette at the back with the defensive unit and Hugo finding themselves in an almighty mess just moments later again. They only just managed to survive this second scare with Hugo needing to pull off some fancy footwork through a silky back heel to avert the danger.

With Pirates failing to