Orlando Pirates conclude their 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign with a home fixture against SuperSport United on Saturday afternoon.
The iconic Orlando Stadium hosts this must-win game for the Buccaneers as they look for a winning finish to what has been a season filled with ups and downs.
Form Guide
While guaranteed a place in the top three of the final league standings, they will be looking to end what has been a dismal run of recent results having not scored in each of their last two outings. They lost at home to Richards Bay before a similar result on the road against TS Galaxy in their most recent fixture.
This poor turn of form has restricted their points tally over the last five games to just nine points, stalling their quest for CAF Champions League qualification which is only partially under their control as they head into the final round of fixtures a point behind second-placed Stellenbosch.
Pirates will have to hold their end of the deal by seeing off the men from Tshwane, who can only go as high as fourth place on the table.
United are coming off a 2-0 win over Moroka Swallows, their second victory in their last five outings where they have claimed eight out of a possible 15 points.
Having disposed of one Soweto outfit, they will be eager to add the Buccaneers scalp to their collection to ensure a solid finish to their campaign.
Team News
Winger Shandre Campbell is back to bolster United after sitting out the game against Swallows through suspension. The teenager copped a one-match ban after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season when his side drew against Cape Town Spurs.
Pirates meanwhile have suffered some significant blows in defence with Tapelo Xoki’s injury forcing him out of the remainder of the season, while Nkosinathi Sibisi is suspended for one match after he was cautioned in Mbombela.
They could be boosted in midfield as Miguel Timm nears a return to action after picking up a minor knock in the lead up to the trip to Mpumalanga.
Key Players
Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates): With the Golden Boot within reach, the Bucs marksman will relish the opportunity to lead the line once more as he looks to add to his 15 league goals scored this season. Mabasa’s excellent anticipation and keen eye for goal have made him a formidable force on attack, consistently posing a threat to opposition defences.
Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United): The veteran striker has consistently been one of the more prolific goal scorers in South African football, and is enjoying another productive campaign in front of goal. A constant threat both aerially and on the ground, Grobler has scored 11 league goals this season including three in his last four games.
Head-to-Head
Pirates will go into the match looking to avoid landing on the wrong side of a league double after suffering a 3-1 defeat when they visited United in Polokwane back in December.
The Tshwane outfit will however be on a mission of their own as they seek their first away win over the Soweto Giants in a decade. Matsatsansa have lost six away games to the Buccaneers while holding them to three stalemates since they last defeated them on their own patch halfway through the 2013/2014 campaign.
The rivalry between the two sides has however been a tight one, with each team boasting seven wins in the 20 league games played since.
How to Watch Orlando Pirates vs SuperSport United
The game starts at 15:00 and will be televised live on Variety 4 (209). Live updates will be shared across Orlando Pirates social media channels.
Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro as well as selected outlets nationwide.
