Orlando Pirates are at home for the first time in 2026 as they welcome Magesi to the Orlando Amstel Arena for a Betway Premiership fixture on Saturday.
The new-look venue in Soweto opens its doors to spectators for the crucial league encounter with the home side looking to hit double figures under the win column. They encounter a Magesi outfit gearing up for their first outing in the new year.
The fixture poses a tricky assignment for the Buccaneers, whose bid to climb back up to the top of the table resumes with a clash against a side desperate for points midway through the campaign.
The Opposition
Back in action after the mid-season break, Magesi arrive in Soweto while in a tight battle to avoid relegation. They are currently placed at the bottom of the table a point behind 15th-place Chippa United with only two wins in 14 league fixtures, netting a meagre 11 points in the process.
The last of their two victories dates back to mid-October when they came from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 win over TS Galaxy in a game played at Sheshego Stadium. Their next four league games have resulted in two defeats and two draws – a run of form that has seen them go from top-eight hopefuls to relegation candidates in the lead-up to the festive season break.
As they shift focus to their trip to the Orlando Amstel Arena, Dikwena tša Meetse are in a desperate bid to clinch their first away victory of the season. This is after claiming just three points in their eight matches on the road, playing to three stalemates while emerging on the losing side five times.
They head to Orlando having made a few changes to playing personnel, roping in two wingers from provincial rivals Polokwane City in Nyakalo Raphadu and Levy Mashiane, along with Bucs duo Siyabonga Ndlozi and Sifiso Luthuli who joined on loan.
Pirates Team News
While their opponents fight for survival, Pirates are in a battle of their own at the other end of the table after dropping to third place in midweek. Their last outing was on Saturday when they were forced to settle for a draw by a stubborn Sekhukhune United in Polokwane.
The stalemate against Babina Noko was only their second in 13 league fixtures, while they dropped points for only the fourth time this season. They now sit on 29 points, and a home victory on Saturday will draw them level with current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Recent home form offers an encouraging omen for the Buccaneers, who have won the last five league fixtures played in their backyard while collecting a clean sheet in each. Their defence has only been breached once in Soweto this season, while they have rattled the net seven times at the other end.
With Magesi looming in the horizon, Pirates have received a timely boost in midfield through the availability of Masindi Nemtajela who is again available for selection after sitting out the trip to Polokwane due to suspension. They recently bid farewell to defender Olisa Ndah, while new signing Mpho Chabatsane and a fit-again Thabiso Sesane are among the centre-back options available to head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou ahead of the fixture.
Head-to-Head
Pirates and Magesi are meeting in the league for the first time this season, having only crossed paths in knockout football thus far. It was the Buccaneers who were victorious in that encounter, winning 2-1 to progress to the semifinals of the Carling Knockout.
The two sides have met a total of four times across competitions with the Soweto Giants emerging victorious in two matches. The two games they failed to win both took place at the Orlando Amstel Arena, where they suffered a shock 3-2 cup defeat on Dikwena tša Meetse’s first visit to the iconic venue before they were held to a 1-1 draw towards the end of the previous league campaign.
Tight margins have been the theme throughout this young rivalry, and this is reflected in goals scored with Magesi slightly ahead with five goals to Pirates’ four.
TV Coverage and Ticket Info
The game kicks off at 18:00 and will be televised on SuperSport PSL with live updates provided across Orlando Pirates social media channels.
General admission tickets are available for purchase online on OpenTickets as well as selected retail outlets nationwide.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.
