Pirates certainly had their chances to win the game but could not force a second goal against a stubborn Siwelele side that has not lost since November and battled hard for their point.
Here are the talking points from the game.
Rare goal
Orlando Pirates started with several near misses and looked odds-on to score first, but it was Siwelele who took the lead, and it was former Pirate Vincent Pule who scored.
He collected the ball on the edge of the box, beat a few defenders and then fired a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner.
It was a fine finish as Pirates conceded just a ninth goal in 21 games this campaign, while it was Pule’s third goal of the season and only the 11th his side have scored.
Sloppy Pirates
Pirates continued to apply the pressure after that, but Ricardo Goss in the visitors’ goal showed why he is likely to be the third goalkeeper in Hugo Broos’ South African World Cup squad.
Pirates seemed a little anxious, snatching at their chances and showing uncharacteristic sloppiness in the final third.
Relebohile Mofokeng had a good chance when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box but skewed it wide, while Oswin Appollis fired over the top. Nkosinathi Sibisi could not turn the loose ball home from a yard out.
Pirates level
Pirates levelled matters on 51 minutes when Tshepang Moremi rifled the ball into the back of the net after being picked out in space by Thalente Mbatha’s pass.
It was a nice, composed finish as he netted his fourth league goal of the season, underlining what a fine signing he has been since his arrival from AmaZulu at the start of the campaign.
Moremi is also pushing hard to be in that World Cup squad and almost had another from a similar situation, but this time Goss made a fine save from a slightly tighter angle. The goalkeeper then recovered from his own error in giving away the ball with a loose pass to deny Moremi once more.
Masterchef back and more misses
Sipho ‘Masterchef’ Mbule came off the bench for just his third appearance since the Africa Cup of Nations after a strange period in which he has not had many minutes.
Pirates could need him in the title run-in, so they will hope he can get back to something like his best form.
He kept Pirates on the front foot in the final 20 minutes and Mofokeng had a great chance to win it, but his free header was straight at Goss.
Evidence Makgopa’s spectacular volley flew just wide.
Where does this leave us?
Pirates will look at this as two huge points dropped at home in a game they would have expected to win.
They now have a one-point lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, but the latter have a game in hand that will be played on Tuesday when they host struggling Marumo Gallants.
That will be a chance for Sundowns to move to the top of the table again and seize the advantage in the title race.
Siwelele move five points clear of the drop zone and still have a game in hand.