Orlando Pirates' problems of old came back to haunt them as they failed to convert several chances in a 0-0 draw with Free State Stars at FNB Stadium.
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Tlou Segolela and Ndumiso Mabena were the biggest culprits for Bucs, while goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene once again put in a man-of-the-match display for Ea Lla Koto.
Daine Klate had a quiet game due to some tight marking, but it was the winger who forced Mweene into the first save of the match after connecting with a header off a Happy Jele free kick.
The former SuperSport United man was also denied by the Zambian international stopper when he fired a snap shot to the near post. Mweene was in no mood to surrender a clean sheet for the night and after the half-hour mark, made three brilliant saves in quick succession.
Isaac Chansa, Mabena and Segolela were all thwarted by the gloveman, whose decision-making on the night was superb.
Moeneeb Josephs, in the Pirates goal, was also in top form - twice saving from Madoda Motha in the 14th and 35th minute.
He also came to Bucs' rescue when a Kingston Nkhatha free-kick beat the wall with ease. At the other end of the park, Segolela blasted over the crossbar after showing a good turn of pace to gain a yard on his marker.
And neither he nor the rest of his team-mates managed to find their killer instinct after the interval.
Segolela was in the action again when he fluffed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the 49th minute, by shooting straight into the hands of Mweene.
A minute later it was Nigerian striker Ezenwa Otorogu who was off the mark, hitting his shot wide of the post before Mabena failed to test Mweene with a soft attempt at goal.
The best chance of the game undoubtedly fell to Segolela, who forced Mweene way off his line for the first time in the game. With just the keeper in his way, the right winger decided to lob the ball goalwards with 12 minutes on the clock, but the ball bounced narrowly wide of right post.
It was just not the former Bloemfontein Celtic loanee's night, nor Pirates' night for that matter as they were forced to settle for a point that Ruud Krol admitted he was far from happy with.




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