Preview: Orlando Pirates vs Siwelele FC – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Orlando Pirates have an opportunity to open up a three-point gap at the top of the Premier Soccer League table when they take on Siwelele FC on Saturday, March 14.

With title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns not in league action due to CAF Champions League commitments this weekend, Pirates can surge ahead with a victory against struggling Siwelele at Orlando Stadium.

Match preview

Pirates will play just three days after blitzing past Richards Bay, who hey beat 2-0 on Wednesday to maintain their league lead, having seen Sundowns go ahead when they won 2-0 away to Orbit College on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers head into the match sitting at the summit of the PSL with 47 points, same with Sundowns, but with a superior goal difference of +1 over the Brazilians.

Such are the fine margins that an extra goal determines whether it is Pirates or Sundowns at the top and Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men can put pressure on the Brazilians if they collect maximum points at Orlando Stadium.

Pirates have won their last three PSL games, starting with the 3-0 thrashing of Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby before beating Polokwane City 2-1 and added Richards Bay to their list of casualties.

That has made it eight wins in their last 10 league games with the only blip being a goalless draw with third-placed Sekhukhune United in January and the 2-1 loss to title rivals Sundowns in February.

In fact, before the loss to Sundowns, Pirates had not lost in the league since starting the season with back-to-back defeats in August and it was a wakeup call which the Buccaneers have embraced going by their response.

Pirates have shown remarkable form that has not been witnessed from them since winning the league in 2012, winning 15 of their 20 league games, drawing two and losing three, and they have scored 33 goals, one less than Sundowns, and let in just eight, the best in the division.

Meanwhile, Siwelele FC are the direct opposite as they are struggling in the league and are not safe from relegation even if they sit in 11^th position.

With 22 points from 19 matches, Siwelele are averaging one point a game and are just four better than Orbit College who are 15^th, meaning an extended poor run of form could easily leave them in danger.

Lehlohonolo Seema’s team may have changed names from SuperSport United but the old form that saw them escape relegation by a whisker last season has not left them with just five wins in their 19 games, drawing seven and losing as many.

However, their last three games have been impressive as they forced goalless draws against Polokwane City and Stellenbosch FC and beat TS Galaxy 1-0, which should be a warning to Pirates.

This will be the third meeting between these two sides this season with Pirates winning the other two with an identical score of 1-0, first away in the PSL last September, and then in the Carling Knockout quarter-final in October.

Orlando Pirates PSL form: WWWLWW

Orlando Pirates form (all competitions): WWWLLW

Siwelele FC PSL form: DWDDDD

Siwelele FC form (all competitions): DWDLDD

Team news

Orlando Pirates will still be without Thabiso Sesane, who has been nursing an injury since January 2025, while Kabelo Dlamini is also not available as he continues to recover from injury and so is Thapelo Xoki.

Meanwhile, Sipho Mbule is back available and could play a part but he faces a battle for a place in attacking midfield where Patrick Maswangayi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Andre de Jong have all been deployed.

Siwelele on the other hand have not played for nearly two weeks and will have fresh legs against a Pirates team that has played twice since their last match on March 3.

The Bloemfontein-based team does not have injury concerns with only winger Ghampani Lungu and midfielder Gape Moralo at risk of suspension as they come into the match on three yellow cards apiece. Former Pirates man Vincent Pule is in line to face his ex-side.

Orlando Pirates possible starting lineup

Chaine; Van Rooyen, Hotto, Sibisi, Seema; Mbatha, Makhaula, Maswangayi; Mofokeng, Appollis, Mbuthuma

Siwelele FC possible starting lineup

Goss; Rapoo, Mfolozi, Makhele, Mobbie; Margenman, Zwane, Pule; Saile, Lungu,Ohizu

We say: Orlando Pirates 0-2 Siwelele FC

While Siwelele FC have not conceded in their last three games, keeping out Pirates will be tough for Seema’s team who will struggle against the high quality of the Soweto giants’ attack.

Pirates should easily win this by at least two goals without reply although they will find it hard to break down Siwelele.