Orlando Pirates aim for a historic seventh consecutive Betway Premiership victory as they host Richards Bay FC under the lights on Tuesday night.
The match kicks off at 19h30, with Pirates riding high after securing a perfect 18 points from their first six league games of the season.
Under the guidance of head coach Jose Riveiro, Pirates have matched their longest winning streak in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era, a feat they first achieved back on August 10, 1996, against Moroka Swallows.
In fact, this marked the sixth time in their PSL history that they had won six league matches in a row, with previous streaks occurring in the 2002/03 season under Roy Barreto, 2011 under Rudi Krol, 2020 with Josef Zinnbauer, and again in 2023.
The players are determined to surpass this achievement against Richards Bay, having previously secured a 1-0 win in Durban at the end of September.
However, the last encounter at home in May saw Richards Bay emerge victorious, with Sanele Barns netting the decisive goal. This time, Pirates relied on the youthful energy of Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng to break through Richards Bay’s defence.
This match also marks a significant milestone for coach Riveiro, who is set to complete his 100th match in charge of the club. His tenure has transformed initial skepticism into confidence, with critics previously branding him as a mere “plumber” upon his arrival.
Riveiro’s leadership has brought considerable success, including three consecutive MTN8 Cup trophies and two Nedbank Cups. Despite finishing as runners-up in the league the last two seasons, his Pirates are eager to make their mark in the current campaign.
The clash is essential not just for league standings but also in light of the upcoming CAF Champions League commitments, where Pirates could face formidable opponents across Africa starting in late November.
With the pressure on, the stage is set for Pirates to etch their name in history with a record-seventh consecutive league win.