Orlando Pirates face a crucial Betway Premiership clash against Chippa United, with the Mighty Buccaneers in desperate need of a victory to keep their title hopes alive.
After a series of setbacks, including their recent 2-0 loss to Marumo Gallants, the pressure is mounting on Pirates to pick up maximum points to avoid falling further behind in the race for PSL honours.
Form Guide
Orlando Pirates find themselves 18 points behind the league leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, with 36 points from 16 topflight outings. That being said, they do have four games in hand, meaning there is still an opportunity for the Buccaneers to close the gap if they can secure maximum points from their games in hand.
The Mighty Buccaneers are reeling from a disappointing 2-0 loss to Marumo Gallants in front of a sold out Orlando Stadium, while Sundowns extended their lead at the summit courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs.
Despite the setback, Pirates have the potential to trim the deficit to just six points if they manage to win all of their outstanding matches. The return of head coach José Riveiro from a one-match suspension will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team’s morale and tactical setup for this crucial encounter.
However, their next opponents, Chippa United, will not be a walkover, despite sitting in ninth place with 22 points from 18 games, just five points clear of the relegation zone. Chippa have shown some resilience in recent weeks, managing to collect four points from a possible nine in the past month.
They secured an impressive 2-0 win over Cape Town City and a 0-0 draw with Richards Bay. This was sandwiched between a narrow 1-0 loss to an in-form Sekhukhune United, which suggests that while they’re not a team to underestimate, they have the ability to go pound for pound.
Player Spotlight
Chippa United’s Sinoxolo Kwayiba has been a revelation for the Chilli Boys this season. The 25-year-old midfielder has scored six goals and registered one assist during his seventeen league appearances this season. Furthermore, he’s struck the woodwork an incredible three times – meaning those numbers could look very different.
The breakout player has been rewarded with a call up to Hugo Broos’ latest preliminary squad, which comes after making his Bafana Bafana debut during their 5-0 win over Congo Brazzaville in October, earlier this season.
His impressive form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Chippa United head coach Thabo September praising his development. September has openly expressed hope that Kwayiba will eventually attract the interest of one of South Africa’s bigger clubs, believing that a move to a top team could be the next step in helping the midfielder reach his full potential.
When asked if he was suggesting that Kwayiba should leave in the next transfer window, September clarified that while he would love for Kwayiba to stay, the midfielder’s long-term growth might require a move to a club with more resources and opportunities.
“You want players to move on, I mean what’s [Chiefs’] budget,” September remarked.
“So, you want players to move on, if I want Sinoxolo to stay in the Eastern Cape, it would be selfish. I wouldn’t be wanting the best for the player.
“The best for him is to play for the big teams, the best for him is to play in CAF [competitions]. The best for him for the national team is to be in those games, so I want the best for him.”
Read: September reflects on Kwayiba move
How to watch
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 19:30 on Wednesday, March and will be carried live on the public broadcaster’s radio stations for commentary. The match will be broadcast live on satellite TV giants SuperSport channel 202 and can be streamed on Showmax.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
The 46 000 seater stadium will host the clash between Chippa United and Orlando Pirates. Located in Gqeberha, the stadium is one of five new stadiums that were built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and hosted several group stage matches during the tournament.
Since the club’s formation, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium served as the home ground for Chippa United, one of South Africa’s sixteen topflight clubs which competes in the Betway Premiership.
Betting odds (supplied by Hollywoodbets)
To win (90 min)
Chippa United 56/10 | Draw 28/10 | Orlando Pirates 11/20
José Riveiro will be looking for a strong response from his team as they look to bounce back and regain their momentum.
I think the play is Pirates and over 2.5 goals at 13/10.