Orlando Pirates vs TS Galaxy: A clash of form, firepower and fine margins

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Orlando Pirates vs TS Galaxy: A clash of form, firepower and fine margins

As Orlando Pirates welcome TS Galaxy to Soweto for their 11th league meeting since the 2020–21 season, the stakes are high and the margins razor-thin.

Both sides enter the clash in strong form, with Pirates riding a four-match winning streak and Galaxy unbeaten in five. With just one point separating them on the Premiership table, this encounter promises to be a tactical and emotional battle.

Rivalry Recap: History Written in One-Goal Games

This fixture has been defined by tight scorelines and home-ground dominance:

  • Pirates lead the head-to-head with 5 wins, Galaxy have 3, and 2 matches have ended in 1–1 draws.
  • All of Galaxy’s victories have been 1–0 home wins.
  • Pirates are unbeaten at home against Galaxy (W3 D2), keeping three clean sheets.
  • All ten previous league meetings have produced goals, with eight featuring first-half strikes.
  • The most common scoreline is 1–0 — occurring four times, always won by the home side.

Galaxy’s resilience is notable: in both previous draws, they came from behind to equalize. Pirates, meanwhile, have scored two goals in four of their five wins in this fixture, including a 2–0 away win last season.

Orlando Pirates: Defensive Steel Meets Winning Rhythm

Mbekezeli Mbokazi Orlando Pirates

Pirates are in a groove. Fresh off a 4–0 CAF Champions League win over Lioli and a 1–0 league win away to Siwelele, they’ve now won four straight league matches — their longest run since a seven-game streak last season.

  • League position: 8th with 12 points from 6 games (W4 L2) — fewest games played in the league.
  • Home form: W2 L1 this season; unbeaten in last six home matches (W3 D2).
  • Clean sheets: Four in a row; last achieved five straight in late 2023.
  • Possession: 61% average; second only to Sundowns.
  • Defensive record: Fewest shots faced (10) and fewest goals conceded (3).

Key Players & Milestones

Patrick Maswanganyi Orlando Pirates
Image – Pirates
  • Patrick Maswanganyi: Only Pirate with more than one goal (2).
  • Evidence Makgopa: 3 assists; joint-most goal contributions (3) alongside Oswin Appollis.
  • Tshegofatso Mabasa: One goal away from 50 in all competitions.
  • Thalente Mbatha: Could make his 100th career appearance.

Pirates have scored in their last five league games, with four goals coming in the first half — two inside the opening 15 minutes. Their shot conversion rate stands at 10%, with 27 shots on target and seven goals scored.

TS Galaxy: Attacking Flair and Rising Confidence

Puso Dithejane TS Galaxy

TS Galaxy have quietly built momentum, climbing to 6th place with 13 points from 7 games (W4 D1 L2). Their 3–1 win over AmaZulu last week extended their unbeaten run to five matches.

  • Away form: 7 points from 4 games (W2 D1 L1); unbeaten in last three on the road.
  • Goals scored: 13; joint-second most in the league.
  • Shots on target: 30; fourth most.
  • Scoring trend: Goals in last five games; six goals in first halves.

Key Players & Milestones

  • Seluleko Mahlambi: 4 goals, 2 assists; 6 goal contributions — joint-third most in the league.
  • Kganyane Letsoenyo: Two appearances away from 50 in all competitions.

Galaxy’s attacking efficiency is matched by their vulnerability at the back. They’ve conceded seven goals and kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 league matches — the fewest in the league alongside Marumo Gallants.

Tactical Subplot: Ouaddou vs Beganovic

This fixture also features a coaching rematch. Abdeslam Ouaddou previously bested Adnan Beganovic with Marumo Gallants last season. With both managers now steering ambitious squads, tactical nuance could be decisive.

What’s at Stake

Abdeslam Ouaddou Orlando Pirates 1
Image – Pirates

With Pirates seeking a fifth straight league win and Galaxy aiming to extend their unbeaten run, this fixture is more than a mid-table clash, it’s a litmus test for title credentials.

Pirates’ defensive solidity meets Galaxy’s attacking verve in a contest likely to be decided by fine margins and individual brilliance.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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