Orlando Pirates return to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night for a crucial Betway Premiership clash against Polokwane City.
With the season entering its final stretch, the Buccaneers are determined to strengthen their grip on the top spot, while Rise and Shine aim to climb further up the table.
Both teams head into the clash riding the momentum of derby victories. Polokwane overcame city rivals Magesi 2-0 at Sheshego Stadium, climbing to seventh place and edging closer to the top five.
Despite being unbeaten at home this season, consistent victories have eluded them, with four consecutive draws at their own ground and only eight goals scored. They will be without key midfielder Ndamulelo Maphangule, suspended after picking up a caution in the derby.
Pirates, meanwhile, reclaimed first place spectacularly, beating Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in the Soweto Derby. That win marked their 13th league victory and confirmed their status as one of the most prolific attacking sides, while also boasting the best defensive record with just seven goals conceded.
READ: Kaizer Chiefs sink deeper as Richards Bay deliver another damaging defeat
Away from home, the Buccaneers have collected 20 points, going eight matches unbeaten on the road. They will, however, miss Kamogelo Sebelebele through suspension, though coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has ample cover in defence.
Speaking to the media after their 3-0 win against Chiefs, Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his side’s big win at the weekend gives them a good platform to build on towards the end of the season.
“We won the first derby [of the season], and that was extremely important for the boys and me as the coach. It’s good for the fans; it gives the players trust and keeps them going,” said Ouaddou. “I think we still have 13 games to play this season. So, we must build on that to be aggressive until the end of the season.”
Pirates head to Polokwane after back‑to‑back wins over the same opponent earlier this season — a 2-0 MTN8 quarter-final and a 1-0 league victory. Those results extended their run to five games without conceding against Rise and Shine, four of them in the league. Overall, the Buccaneers are unbeaten in 17 Premiership meetings, winning 10 and drawing seven.
Polokwane City captain Thabang Matuludi will again be key after his standout Limpopo derby performance, while Pirates’ Tshepang Moremi, who scored in the Soweto Derby, continues to impress in his debut season. Both players could prove decisive in a fixture where history favours the Buccaneers, who have won five consecutive away games against Polokwane.