Orlando Pirates vs Chippa United | Wednesday September 18 | Orlando Stadium | Kick-off 19:30
All eyes will be on Orlando Stadium when Orlando Pirates battles Chippa United in their league opener on Wednesday evening. The four-time league champions last got their hands on the league trophy more than a decade ago when they were crowned league champions in the seasons of 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively.
To Win Match
Orlando Pirates 4/10
Draw 3/1
Chippa United 6/1
Pirates kickstart their journey towards ending 12-year league trophy drought
Last season’s runners-up Orlando Pirates will kick-start their 2024-25 Betway Premiership by hosting Chippa United in a bid to lift the league title since the 2011-12 season. The Buccaneers have finished second place the past two seasons behind Mamelodi Sundowns and have lifted two MTN8 and Nedbank Cups respectively.
The Jose Riveiro-led team started on a positive note dispatching SuperSport United and Cape Town City to book a spot in their third straight MTN8 final where they will square off against in-form Stellenbosch FC.
They are now on the verge of qualifying for the CAF Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2018-19 season after they made quick work of Disciples FC in the first round of qualifiers and beat Jwaneng Galaxy 2-0 in the first leg of the second round this past Saturday. Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Hotto looked to be continuing with their last season’s brilliance and added to that by registering their names on the score sheet.
Former Stellenbosch FC captain Deano van Rooyen and midfielder Gilberto who are amongst the new arrivals will be looking to walk in the steps of Thalente Mbatha who made a sudden impact after joining the Bucs in the January transfer window, Mbatha went on to help them win their second Nedbank Cup in succession. It will be interesting to see if any of Riveiro’s new signings will make their league debut in this clash.
The Chilli Boys on the other hand will be looking to make amends following an underwhelming 2023-24 season which saw them finish 12th with 34 points. They began the season with then-head coach Morgan Mammila who was then redeployed into a Technical Director position in January and being replaced by co-coaches Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo to finish the last half of the season. The duo managed to save the team from relegation and the club chairman has decided to appoint Kopo as the sole head coach with September now serving as his assistant while Mammila parted ways with the club.
The Eastern Cape side is yet to be tested this season. They have made several significant signings to strengthen their squad including former Pirates midfielders Andile Jali and Siphelo Baloni who will be joining Gabriel Michael, Xolani Sithole, Blessing Jali, Thobani Jacobs, Sifiso Mazibuko, Sifiso Mazibuko, Gadinkame Modise and Aphelele Teto. It will be interesting to see if they can overcome the Soweto giants and start the season on the right foot.
How to watch?
For the football faithful who are in Gauteng province, they can purchase a ticket and make their way to Orlando Stadium in Soweto to catch the action live. The game will also be broadcast live on SuperSport TV (Channel 202) kicking off at 19:30.
Orlando Stadium
The Sea Robbers have proven to be almost untouchable when playing at their home ground now dubbed Esigodini (which means in the hollow), they boast three consecutive home victories netting an impressive nine goals and only conceding one goal.
Prediction: Pirates to win & over 2.5 at 21/20
The odds are in favour of Pirates who have been in active competition since the beginning of August while Chippa has not played any competitive match since their closing league match against Sekhukhune United on 25 May. Chippa were last victorious against the Bucs on 14 August 2022 in a league match where they edged them 1-0 at the same venue. We look to see if they can pull off another miracle and shock the home team.
On the other hand, Pirates rolled over them in their last meeting 2-0 and that was after the 3-1 thrashing which booked them a spot in the final of the Nedbank Cup that they ended up winning.
There is no value in betting for a Pirates’ straight win, it’s almost a given that the home side will be victorious in this match and have proven to be capable of scoring goals. Pirates to win and over 2.5 at 21/20 is worth splashing your money on.
Written by Siphesihle Soni