Orlando Pirates are still without a win in the DStv Premiership after playing goalless draw at Marumo Gallants on Tuesday evening.
Bandile Shandu was drafted into the right-back role in place of the suspended Ntsikelelo Nyauza, while Nkanyiso Zungu was handed his first start of the season in midfield.
The Buccaneers enjoyed large share of the possession in the early stages of the encounter but they found it difficult to break down the Gallants defence after half hour of action.
Gallants, meanwhile, managed to break through on the left but Richard Ofori did well to intercept Thabo Mnyamane’s cross in the 33rd minute.
That brought an end to the insipid football in the opening stanza, as the Buccaneers couldn’t commit the Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi to a save after 45 minutes.
In a bid to change the context of the game, Pirates made a change at the start of the second half with as Gabadinho Mhango made way for Terrence Dzvukamanja in straight swap upfront.
However, it was Gallants who went closest to breaking the deadlock after 64 minutes when an un-marked Ngema controlled a cross brilliantly before rattling the woodwork with a half volley.
Pirates, meanwhile, had to wait until the 76th minute for an opening when Dzvukamanja was played through on goal, but Arubi was quick off his line to deny the striker in the box.
The visitors threw on Tshegofatso Mabasa and Siphesihle Ndlovu for the final 12 minutes in search of a late winner.
However, Pirates couldn’t break the home side’s defence as the game ended in a share of the spoils.