Orlando Pirates vs Sekhukhune: Preview, team news, prediction & where to watch

Aiming to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns from the league’s dominance, Orlando Pirates will begin their 2025/26 Betway Premiership season with a tough clash this upcoming weekend.

They will welcome Sekhukhune United, who finished fourth last season, which speaks to the strongness of their team.

Both teams made solid acquisitions strengthening their teams for this season after parting ways with a couple of players at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

Babina Noko ended the last season on a higher note under the then new coach Eric Tinkler who had replaced Lehlohonolo Seema, who’s now with Siwelele FC.

Meanwhile, Pirates are under a new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou who recently took reins, replacing Jose Riveiro who left the club at the end of the previous season, after a successful three-season tenure.

RECENT FORM

Both teams enter the league season with winning momentum from the MTN8 quarterfinals. The Sea Robbers put on a commanding performance in front of a sold-out home crowd, defeating Polokwane City 2-0.

Encouragingly for their supporters, new signings showed seamless adaptability. It appears Coach Ouaddou is wisely building on the successful foundation laid by his predecessor rather than making drastic changes to their approach.

Sekhukhune United, however, showcased their renowned fighting spirit. In their MTN8 clash, they displayed immense resilience to fight back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat TS Galaxy 3-2 at home, proving they can never be counted out.

TEAM NEWS

Ouaddou has a nearly full-strength squad to choose from. Pirates will only be without two players: Thabiso Sesane, who is still nursing an Achilles tendon injury, and Thabiso Lebitso, who continues his recovery from a knee injury.

The club is well-covered in those positions and has been managing their absence since last season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last season's league encounters were evenly split. Pirates drew first blood with a 2-1 victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

However, in the return fixture, Sekhukhune exacted their revenge, handing the Buccaneers a damaging 1-0 defeat at Orlando Stadium—a result that was a significant blow to their title chances.