Orlando Pirates will hope to narrow the gap between them and Mamelodi Sundowns to nine points when they play away to Golden Arrows on Tuesday.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has vowed that his team will fight to the end and with a 12-point gap between them and league leaders Sundowns, they need to win all their remaining six games, while still hoping for favours from elsewhere.
The Buccaneers are on 49 points from 22 games, while Sundowns have 61 from 24 and need two more wins from four matches to be crowned but Pirates are still keeping home alive.
They play the first of their two games in hand at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday and it is either win or bust for Riveiro’s team.
Form Guide
Pirates are coming off a morale-boosting 2-1 victory against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby on Saturday, which saw them end a run of two straight defeats, and are favouites against Manqoba Mngqithi’s side.
Riveiro’s team had gone nine matches without defeat, winning six and drawing three, before a 3-2 loss to Pyramids in the CAF Champions League and 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United saw their hopes of sealing a quadruple go up in smoke.
However, the victory against Chiefs has brought back belief and there is optimism in the Bucs camp that three points are within reach.
Arrows, meanwhile, are in danger of relegation as they are 14th on the log, just three points ahead of SuperSport United in 15th and need to avoid getting into the playoff position.
To do that, Mngqithi has to find a winning formula against Pirates as his team come into the match having won just two of their las 13 in all competitions while they are yet to taste victory in their last four, having drawn two and lost as many, including a 3-0 defeat to Stellenbosch last weekend.
Head-to-Head
This is the first meeting between the two sides this season, after the initial match was postponed on February 19 due to a waterlogged pitch, but Pirates have an edge in their recent meetings, having gone unbeaten in their last six, including four straight wins.
Arrows will have memories of last season still fresh after Pirates thrashed them 7-1 in April 2024 with Abafana Bes’thende’s last victory over the Soweto giants being in February 2021, when they won 2-0.
Team news
Pirates will still be without defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, who is serving the second of his two-match ban, following his red card against Sekhukhune last Wednesday, meaning Mbekezeli Mbokazi will still partner Thapelo Xoki in central defence and Arrows can perhaps try to take advantage of the latter’s lack of pace.
What have the two coaches said?
Jose Riveiro – Orlando Pirates
“They (the players) perform every three days like animals and beasts. They are running, playing, and not complaining at all. They are competing in every competition. We are in a second final, and we are trying to run the race with Sundowns until the very last day.”
Manqoba Mngqithi – Golden Arrows
“First we need to look at Pirates, look at their strengths and their last three, four matches, see how we can capitalise on some of their weaknesses. We need to also do the best we can in dealing with the areas where they are strong. And I’m always confident that in games where you don’t need intrinsic motivation, this team can always come out and surprise you because they also want it.”
Time & where to watch
The match will kick off at 19:30 at Moses Mabhida Stadium and will be live on SuperSport TV.
Orlando Pirates Predicted XI
Chaine, Mako Shandu, Mbokazi, Xoki, Makhaula, Mbatha, Dlamini, Mofokeng, Nkota, Mabasa
