Orlando Pirates take on their first midweek assignment of the new season on Wednesday night when they travel to Durban for a Betway Premiership clash against AmaZulu in Durban.
It’s this campaign’s first trip out of Soweto for the Buccaneers, and also the first of back-to-back away games this week. It pits them against an Usuthu side hosting the second of three consecutive home fixtures, with league football now their immediate focus after an early cup exit.
The fixture marks the return of Premiership action to King’s Park, with the two sides locking horns at the historic venue for the first time in over five years.
The Challenge Ahead
Just days after a gruelling cup encounter over the weekend, Pirates quickly turn their attention back to league action as they now pursue another three points against AmaZulu.
The start of the 2025/26 campaign has seen them step onto the field twice, claiming three league points at home against Milford in their season opener. Another date with KwaZulu-Natal opposition saw them book a spot in the MTN8 finals, courtesy of a dramatic quarter-final encounter against Durban City which was decided by a 120th minute winner from new signing Gamphani Lungu.
Having survived another day in the cup, the Buccaneers now go in search of a win that could place them as high as first place on the second game week of their league title defence.
The quick turnaround in fixtures provides a stern test for Pirates’ squad depth, but the impact brought on by their new signings means they are more than equipped for the demands of a challenging season. The squad has further been strengthened by the recent arrival of Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen, who could soon form part of the match day squad.
Standing on the Soweto Giants path next is an AmaZulu side determined to make it two wins in two in the league, with the added incentive of returning to winning ways after their early elimination from the MTN8. This is after landing on the wrong side of a 4-3 result in a thrilling marathon encounter against Sekhukhune United, where they were sunk by a Vuyo Letlapa strike in the first period of extra time.
The weekend’s disappointment could fuel the fight against the visitors, as AmaZulu look to climb from joint fourth in the standings with first place beckoning. They are likely to be without goalkeeper Darren Johnson, who missed their two opening games through injury while Olwethu Mzimela and new signings Faveur Kouassi both provide more than capable options between the sticks.
What Was Said
Abdeslam Ouaddou (Orlando Pirates): We don’t have to forget that this season is very important for us. It’s very important, we must confirm what we did last season.
Arthur Zwane (AmaZulu): It’s not going to be an easy one, and we’re playing against a Pirates team that won at the weekend
Head-to-Head
Wednesday night’s fixture comes a little under four months since Pirates completed an emphatic league double against AmaZulu, netting five unanswered goals in the process. They did so through a 2-0 win in Durban followed by a 3-0 victory at Orlando Amstel Arena.
Those two victories extended the Buccaneers’ undefeated streak in the fixture to 21 league matches, spanning a period of over 12 years. They have racked up 11 wins since their last defeat to Usuthu with 10 matches finishing in a draw.
It takes an even longer trip down memory lane to recall the Soweto Giants’ last away defeat in the fixture. They were last beaten by the Durban outfit on the road in October 2009, with that particular fixture taking place at Chatsworth Stadium.
TV Coverage and Ticket Info
The game kicks off at 19:30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL. Live updates will be posted across Orlando Pirates social media channels.
Tickets are available for purchase online on TicketPro as well as selected outlets nationwide.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.
