An opportunity to close the year off on a high beckons for Orlando Pirates, who are at home to Black Leopards in a league clash on Saturday afternoon.
The fixture is the last for 2019 for both sides, who are separated by a single point, with the Soweto Giants higher up in the standings in seventh place, three spots above the hosts.
It’s also the first match at the helm for new Pirates Coach Josef Zinnbauer, who will be looking to endear himself to The Ghosts with a positive result first up.
A win on Saturday could push the Buccaneers towards the top four, a decent base with another 15 fixtures to go in the new year.
Like their opponents, Pirates have won just four of their 13 matches played so far and will be keen for maximum points on Saturday.
Head-to-Head
Recent history favours the Buccaneers in this particular fixture, having pulled a league double over their rivals last season.
A near-perfect showing against Lidoda Duvha in the 2018/19 campaign is blemished by a cup defeat, which came via a penalty shootout.
In the league, Pirates have been the dominant side, winning all six of their most recent encounters, dating back to August 2011.
Key Players
Mwape Musonda: Former Bucs striker Mwape Musonda may not have enjoyed as much success as he did last season, but remains a threat to the opposition goal. The Soweto Giants have suffered at the hands of the Zambian international in the past year and will do well to be alert to his talents.
Lesedi Kapinga: One man who has found his scoring boots this season is 24-year-old Lesedi Kapinga. The striker has quietly become Leopards’ top goal-scorer with four goals, and will be keen to emerge from the shadows by putting one past one of the country’s biggest clubs.
