Orlando Pirates fought valiantly to secure a 2-2 draw against Plymouth Argyle in their opening pre-season match on Friday night. The encounter marked the debut of Wayne Rooney as manager for the English Championship side.
The Pirates started strong, with Monnapule Saleng nearly putting them ahead in the 18th minute. However, the deadlock wasn't broken until the 39th minute when Evidence Makgopa capitalized on a well-developed attack from the right flank. Their lead was short-lived, as Plymouth's Freddie Issaka responded just a minute later.
Pirates' resilience shone through as they regained the lead three minutes on from conceding. Olisa Ndah pounced on a loose ball following a corner kick, sending the Buccaneers into halftime with a narrow advantage.
The second half saw a whole new Pirates lineup take the field as coach Jose Riveiro aimed to give playing time to a wider squad. Plymouth nearly equalized from the penalty spot early in the second half, but substitute goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi produced a stellar save to deny Ryan Hardie.
The equalizer eventually came for Plymouth through Callum Wright, who tapped in after some neat play on the left flank by Ibrahim Cissoko. Despite both sides pushing for a winner, the score remained deadlocked at the final whistle.
This gritty draw marks a promising start for the Orlando Pirates' pre-season campaign. They showcased both their attacking prowess and defensive resolve against a formidable opponent under new leadership.