Orlando Pirates will go in search of a perfect five when they face AmaZulu in their fifth PSL match on Friday.
Pirates are enjoying a good start in the league and are joint top of the table with the maximum 12 points alongside Mamelodi Sundowns following their 2-0 victory over SuperSport United on Tuesday.
The Sea Robbers can move three points ahead of Sundowns with victory over Usuthu who have endured a torrid start to the campaign, losing all their four games in all competitions.
Head-to-head
Pirates have bossed this fixture as they have yet to lose to AmaZulu since November 2018. Those are some 14 games against the Buccaneers without victory and on current form, few will bet against Jose Riveiro’s team getting maximum points.
Form guide
The Buccaneers have lost just one game in 13 this season, last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout, but bounced back to subdue SuperSport United in midweek.
In that run, they have drawn just two games, winning the other 10 to stay in the league, CAF Champions League while winning the MTN8.
AmaZulu, meanwhile, have lost all three league games to Polokwane City, Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants, which led to the sacking of coach Pablo Franco Martin, with Arthur Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi appointed as co-coaches and the pair had a losing start when Stellenbosch eliminated them from the Carling Knockout at the weekend.
Team news
Pirates welcomed back midfielder Thalente Mbatha for the victory against SuperSport but defender Olisa Ndah is a long-term absentee. Thabiso Lebitso and Zakhele Lepasa are also still out as they continue their rehabilitation.
What have they said?
Despite their poor form, Riveiro is still wary of AmaZulu who he feels can spring a surprise on his team if they are not at their best
“It is going to be difficult to repeat again at home, getting another three points here. It is so difficult to win more than three games in a row in your own stadium but we are going to try,” he said.
“AmaZulu is a good team, it will be a tough opponent again like everybody when they come here to Orlando but we are going to find ourselves again in a good shape.”
Time, where to watch & ticket info
The match will kick off at 19:30 at the Orlando Stadium and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL. Live updates will also be provided across Orlando Pirates social media channels.
Tickets to attend the game are available online on TicketPro as well as selected outlets nationwide.
Predicted line-up
Pirates predicted XI: Chaine, Sesane, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Mbatha, Dlamini, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Mofokeng, Makgopa
