Brandon Truter and Richards Bay prepare for a tough fixture when they welcome the red-hot Orlando Pirates to the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
To win (90 min)
Richards Bay 44/10
Draw 49/20
Orlando Pirates 13/20
Richards Bay
Richards Bay has had a mixed start to the season with Brandon Truter at the helm. They began with a 1-0 win over TS Galaxy but followed it up with a 1-0 loss to Chippa United and a goalless draw against Royal AM. Having to face the in-form Pirates after two disappointing results is not the fixture Truter would have hoped for but having home ground advantage could help fuel their performance.
In the last fixture against Royal AM, they showed defensive solidity which helped them secure a much-needed point after continued attacks by John Maduka’s men. The draw takes their point tally to four points with two clean sheets across the last three fixtures.
Truter has built a strong foundation despite being only three games into his new role as Richards Bay’s head coach. He is known for his pragmatic and defensively solid approach. His preferred formation is a 4-3-3, which he often adapts to a more defensive setup depending on the opponent.
Truter emphasizes organization and discipline at the back, making his teams difficult to break down. He has a reputation for being a “draw specialist,” often prioritizing not losing over aggressively seeking a win.
For Truter, the key to getting a positive result will be maintaining a disciplined defensive structure while being opportunistic on the counter-attack and set-pieces. Given Pirates’ current form, it will be a challenging match, but with the right tactics, Richards Bay can aim to frustrate their opponents and possibly snatch a crucial goal.
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates are in excellent form, having won seven and drawn two of their last nine matches in all competitions. They recently secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Polokwane City in their last match and coach Jose Riveiro will want to maintain their unbeaten run with another victory.
Riveiro looks to have taken Pirates to another level this season, especially with the way they approach fixtures and the strong winning mentality within the team. The influence Riveiro has had on this Pirates team since his arrival has been a massive contribution to their success.
The Sea Robbers have built an identity on high pressing, ball retention, and fluid attacks that have been devastating for defenses in the league and abroad. With the attacking and progressive football philosophy Riveiro has instilled and the 3-4-2-1 formation, which allows for flexibility in both defense and attack, will make it challenging to break down this Pirates team let alone get a victory against them.
Dominating possession and creating opportunities will get the best out of Riveiro’s key players, especially in the final third. Patrick Maswanganyi and Thalente Mbatha have special qualities as footballers. They are players who have the ability to control the tempo of the game and provide scoring opportunities for the likes of Tshegofatso Mabasa and Evidence Makgopa.
Riveiro’s approach will be to maintain a high tempo, control possession, and exploit any defensive weaknesses in Richards Bay’s setup. Given Pirates’ current form and attacking prowess, they will aim to dominate the game and secure a decisive victory.
Prediction:
Given the current form of both teams, Orlando Pirates are the favorites to win. However, Richards Bay’s strong defensive setup could make it a challenging match for the Buccaneers.
Written by Marc Strydom.