Failure to make use of their chances in the first half cost Orlando Pirates, this is according to Bucs head coach Rudolf Krol.

Krol’s charges were held to a 1-all draw by second place Bidvest Wits in their top-of-the-table Absa Premier League clash on Saturday, ending their run of seven-game clean sheets.

Pirates had plenty of chances to win the game but their inability to make use of their opportunities in the first half allowed the visitors back into the game to earn a valuable point away from home.

Asked about his views on the game, Krol said: “Look, I think we had a very good first half…we created a lot of chances but unfortunately we were unable to convert them.

“Another area I think we failed to deal with on the night was with set pieces. We gave away far too many free kicks, corners and throw-ins and this worked in their favour because of their big boys,” admitted Krol.

Meanwhile, Wits coach Rodger De Sa seemed to be the happier of the two coach’s, saying that he was pleased with the point.

“It was a game of two halves,” said the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper.

“We were on the back foot for most part of the first half but we took the game to them in the second half. It could have gone either way – both teams created goal scoring chances but we failed to make use of them…however, all things considered I’m happy with the draw.”

8 out of 12 for Krol

The point gained at home against The Students brought Pirates’ total points earned for the month of September to eight out of a potential twelve points.

Pirates shares this record with three other teams, in Bidvest Wits, Bloemfontein Celtic and Ajax Cape Town.

The top achievers for the month were defending champions SuperSport United who marched to three victories and one draw, to earn them an impressive ten points in twelve games.

Gavin Hunt’s men are now in second place on the log table, only three points behind the Buccaneers.

However, if the coach’s believe that September was tough, October will prove to be the most challenging month yet for all involved.

Why is that, you ask? Well, this is the month that will separate the boys from the men; the title challengers from the title pretenders, and this is also the month when the relegation candidates will be determined.

In October, teams will play a total of five games in four weeks -that’s a total of fifteen points that clubs will play for.

For Krol, October will be the month where his side will be nomads of the PSL. Pirates are scheduled to play four away games and only one will be at home. And in those two away games, Pirates will face nemeses SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs.

Orlando Pirates Fixture (October)

3 October: Free State Stars (A)
17 October: Santos (H)
21 October: SuperSport United (A)
28 October: Amazulu (A)
31 October: Kaizer Chiefs (A)