Orlando Pirates will turn their attention to their league title push when they host Sekhukhune United in the PSL on Wednesday evening.
Pirates are coming from a crushing loss in the CAF Champions League when they came close to making it to the final before losing 3-2 to Pyramids of Egypt but have to overcome the disappointment and be ready for the league match at Orlando Stadium.
The Buccaneers are 12 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, but with three games in hand which they hope to win, to get closer and perhaps overtake Miguel Cardoso’s team to lift their first PSL crown since 2012.
To do that, they need to win all their matches, starting with Sekhukhune, who will not be pushovers as they are third on the table and chasing continental football qualification, having managed 41 points from 24 matches, six behind Pirates, who have played four matches fewer.
Form guide
Pirates come into the match after losing just one of their last nine games, the defeat to Pyramids, with six wins over that period, a record that should worry Sekhukhune.
However, Babina Noko will back themselves to pull off an upset as they are unbeaten in their last three, having won two and drawn one.
Head-to-head
This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season with Pirates having won the corresponding fixture 2-1 in February, which extended their good run as it was their sixth win against Babina Noko in nine meetings.
Sekhukhune have managed two wins against Pirates, the last one being last season when they won 1-0 in November 2023.
Team news
Pirates came away from Egypt unscathed and will have their full complement available for Wednesday’s match which means Relebohile Mofokeng, Thalenthe Mbatha, and Mbekelezi Mbokazi will be among those in the team while coach Jose Riveiro could opt to start with Tshegofatso Mabasa upfront.
Erik Tinker’s Sekhukhune have Chibuike Ohizu to rely on for goals while Sphesihle Mkhize and Sipho Mbule should offer them composure and creativity in midfield.
What have they said?
“Another important final against a very competitive Sekhukhune,” Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi told the club’s in-house channel.
“Fortunately, everybody in the team is aware of the importance of the match. I could see that the players are all ready, the last game is past us, we are looking into the next match and three points will be the only language we will understand.”
Time and where to watch
The match will kick off at 19:30 at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday and will be live on SuperSport TV.
Orlando Pirates predicted XI
Chaine, Van Rooyen, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Nkota, Mabasa
