Orlando Pirates are back at Orlando Stadium for their next league fixture as they host Polokwane City on Friday night.
It’s a second DStv Premiership fixture in less than a week for the hosts, who face a tight schedule in catching up to the rest of the league.
Form Guide
A point in midweek brought them up one spot in the standings, moving from 14th to 13th courtesy of a goalless draw away to AmaZulu.
It was their second league stalemate of the season, as they now sit on eight points with two wins and as many draws.
Having been victorious in their last home fixture – a 2-0 cup victory over Cape Town Spurs – the Soweto Giants will be determined to provide more excitement for their loyal supporters by bagging a maximum points haul that could shoot them up closer to more familiar territory in the top half of the table.
Standing in the way of that is a Polokwane outfit that has exceeded expectations on their return to the top flight.
Rise and Shine began the week in fifth place with 14 points earned in their nine matches and could potentially climb up to second if they manage to upset the Buccaneers in their own backyard.
They head into the clash with their tails up after going unbeaten in their four most recent league games, bagging two wins and as many draws to go with an emphatic 4-1 cup win over SuperSport United in their last outing.
Team News
The quick turnaround between fixtures could tempt Bucs coach Jose Riveiro to shuffle his pack for Friday’s clash, with Nkosinathi Sibisi among those who could possibly make a return to the match-day squad after playing no part in the last two games.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine remains on the mend after sustaining an injury against Spurs, while club captain Innocent Maela inches closer to a return following his spell on the sidelines.
For City, the experienced Manuel Kambala could have a bigger role after his cameo in his side’s last outing, with the likes of midfielders Tumi Ngwepe and Luciano van Heerden among those who could be called upon by coach Lehlohonolo Seema.
Key Players
Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates): The midfielder remains a major creative spark for the Buccaneers, pulling the strings in attacking areas. Through elite trickery and accurate delivery in set pieces as well as open play, Maswanganyi sits on five assists across competitions while also contributing two goals.
Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City): The South Africa youth international has been a central figure in Rise and Shine’s attack, troubling defences with his speed and vision, and an eye for goal. In 10 appearances for the club this season, Appollis has had a hand in six goals and is fresh off yet another eye-catching performance where he found the net and chipped in with two assists to help see off Matsatsansa.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between the two sides since Pirates’ visit to Peter Mokaba Stadium in January 2020 when they clinched an emphatic 4-1 win to complete a second successive league double over the Limpopo outfit.
The Buccaneers have been the dominant side in this fixture, winning seven times and losing once while another seven games have ended in a stalemate.
They also lead the goal-scoring stakes by a comfortable margin after finding the net 24 times and only conceding 12 goals.
How to Watch Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City
The game is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 and will be televised live on SuperSport PSL. Orlando Pirates will also provide regular updates shared across the Club’s social media platforms, including the official app.
Tickets to attend the fixture are available at TicketPro outlets nationwide.
