Sekhukhune United vs Orlando Pirates: Preview, team news, time and where to watch

Orlando Pirates begin their mission to return to the top of the PSL table on Saturday when they play away to Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Pirates ended 2025 in fine fashion, having gone 10 games in the league without defeat, a run that included nine wins with their only blemish being a 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Over that period, Pirates also kept eight clean sheets and head into the game against Sekhukhune in confident mode.

Form guide

A win will see Pirates return to the summit, having ended the year on 28 points from 13 matches but seen Sundowns move top with their win against Orbit College.

Sundowns have 29 points but with two games in hand, Pirates have a chance to leapfrog them and take a five-point lead, if they can win both.

Sekhukhune started the season like a house on fire but since late September, they have won just one game, a run of eight matches that includes four losses and three draws.

They started this year with a 1-0 loss to Stellenbosch FC on Monday and another defeat will leave coach Erick Tinkler under pressure, even though his team, on 25 points, are just four off top spot.

Pirates’ last match was in December last year, and it was the Carling Knockout final which they won to claim a second trophy this season, adding it onto their MTN8 triumph. They will be looking to start 2026 in fine fashion as they eye a first league title since 2012.

Head-to-head record

Sekhukhune have bossed Pirates in recent encounters, beating them home and away last season, and will want to do the same this season.

However, history and form favours the Soweto giants given in their 11 meetings, the Buccaneers have claimed six wins, Babina Noko winning four with just one draw.

Team News

Sekhukhune have bolstered their squad this month with the arrival of Ivorian winger Amede Diomandé, forward Bradley Mojela and Lebogang Phiri while they have veteran striker Bradley Grobler in their ranks, who has six goals so far this season.

Pirates, meanwhile, have also strengthened with the addition of defenders Mpho Chabatsane and Daniel Msendami from Marumo Gallants same as midfielder Andre De Jong from Stellenbosch.

What have they said?

Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou hopes that his new signings quickly integrate into the team after showing them how he likes his team to play in recent weeks.  

“We have some habits in terms of cohesion, in terms of living together and it’s important to include the new players,” Ouaddou said as per iDiski Times.  

“We’ve shown them slides about our game model, about our team spirit, about our values in the team. 

“So, it’s a moment where we can have chats with these new players to integrate them into our team. We welcomed Chabatsane, Msendami and of course Andre De Jong to come to our team. We are looking forward to them to bring us all the qualities and the competencies to the team.”

Time and where to Watch

𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓_𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇

📅 24 January 2026
🆚 @SekhukhuneFc (A)
📍 New Peter Mokaba Stadium
🎟️ https://t.co/CdLcYt2n0d

⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/2KgkWK9YJX

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) January 22, 2026

The match will kick off at 15:30 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday and will be live on SuperSport TV.

Orlando Pirates predicted lineup

Chaine; Lebisto, Hotto, Sibisi, Seeema, Makhaula, Mbatha, Mbule, Appollis, Mofokeng, Makgopa