Orlando Pirates mark their return to action with a trip to Polokwane where they will face Sekhukhune United in a Betway Premiership fixture played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
The mid-season break officially comes to an end for the Buccaneers, who spent the last few weeks fine-tuning ahead of a crucial phase in their campaign. They now return to the site of their most recent competitive fixture, where they added one more piece of silverware to their collection.
It’s a different challenge altogether this time around, with three league points at stake against a side that has risen among the most consistent performers in South Africa’s top flight over the years.
The Opposition
Babina Noko were quick off the blocks this season, emerging as one of the early pace setters to take up residence near the summit. They closed off the year in the top three despite a sharp dip in form, before resuming action with a 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch which dropped them to fourth, ending their unbeaten run on home turf.
Having proven a tough adversary in their backyard prior to their midweek loss, their form as hosts has been indifferent of late with their last three fixtures at Peter Mokaba yielding just two points. Their last home victory was in September when they netted a late winner through veteran striker Bradley Grobler, who sealed a 1-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Despite recent struggles, Sekhukhune have kept within touching distance of top spot and will be desperate to arrest their current slide.
They have brought in new faces in the January transfer window with Ivorian winger Amede Diomandé bolstering their forward options alongside Bradley Mojela, while former Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri adds more experience in the centre of the park.
Bucs Team News
Pirates meanwhile have a chance to continue what has been a dream start to the season having closed off the year with two major trophies while perched at the top of the standings. They lost their place at the summit after sitting out the midweek league action, and will be looking to reclaim their spot with another three points in Polokwane.
A win on Saturday will not only restore their two-point lead at the top, but also extends an impressive unbeaten run in the league which currently stands at 10 matches. This run consists of eight clean sheets, which helped them to 28 out of an available 30 points while only slipping up via a stalemate away to current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
They take to the road ranking as the best in travellers in the league this season, having won four of their six away games for a haul of 13 points while finding the net 11 times and only conceding four goals.
Much like their opponents, the Buccaneers have been active in the transfer market. They have brought in defender Mpho Chabatsane and Daniel Msendami from Marumo Gallants, with forward Andre De Jong also making the move from Stellenbosch to the Soweto Giants.
Head-to-Head
After a largely one-sided start to what is still a young rivalry, the gap between Pirates and Sekhukhune has narrowed significantly in recent seasons with the latter collecting three victories in the last four fixtures between the two sides. The most recent of these came in the opening match of the current league campaign which took place at Orlando Stadium where the visitors walked off with all three points via a 1-0 win.
Despite this recent run, the Buccaneers have maintained the upper hand in terms of overall head-to-head results, with six wins in 11 games in all competitions while Babina Noko boast a total of four victories with just one game failing to produce a winner.
Results in this fixture have favoured the away team in recent times with the host team in each of the last three league fixtures failing to secure a point. Things remain even in games played in Polokwane where the two teams currently sit at two wins apiece with Sekhukhune edging the goal-scoring stakes with five goals to four.
TV Coverage and Ticket Info
The game is scheduled to kick off at 15:30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL and SABC 1. Live updates will be posted across Orlando Pirates social media channels throughout the duration of the game.
Tickets to attend the match are available online at Computicket as well as selected retail outlets nationwide.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.
