Orlando Pirates can see the stars aligning as they chase a first Betway Premiership title triumph since the 2021-2012 season.
Pirates have a nice long rest period before their next fixture
Jose Riveiro’s Orlando Pirates squad have three league encounters to prepare for in the next month and they’ve also got two tasty Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon. The visit of African champions Al Ahly on 06 December is one to get in the diary. There’s also the prospect of a meeting with Bafana and former Cape Town City striker Khanyisa Mayo when Pirates next go North to face Belouizdad of Algeria on 26 November. The Buccaneering Buccaneers have won seven out of seven league matches this season, placing them perfectly for a continued title assault before the international break.
- Belouizdad vs Pirates: Tue, 26 November, kickoff time TBC
- Pirates vs Stellenbosch: Sat, 30 November, 15:30
- Gallants vs Pirates: Tue, 03 December, 19:30
- Pirates vs Al Ahly: Fri, 06 December, kickoff time TBC
- Pirates vs Golden Arrows: Tue, 10 December, 19:30
Sundowns dealt another massive injury blow, Orlando Pirates ready to pounce
Talented 28-year-old utility star Rivaldo Coetzee was injured against Cape Town City last time out and manager Manqoba Mngqithi has confirmed that it’s serious. Influential playmaker Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane is already out long-term with an achilles issue.
“Rivaldo Coetzee’s injury is serious, he will probably be out for four weeks if not more, it’s an ACL,” Manqoba Mngqithi said as per GOAL.
“He has to go for an operation I think this coming week. But it is a bad one.
“We hope he will come back when we need him the most in the later stages of the season,” he said.
Who are the Pirates MVPs?
As things stand, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Patrick Maswanganyi are the two most valuable stars at Pirates. The pair are each valued at €1.4 million, or approximately R27 million. Golden Boot holder Tshegofatso Mabasa follows closely at €1.3 million or approximately R25 million. Meanwhile, the trio of Tapelo Xoki, Deano van Rooyen and Monnapule Saleng are all valued at €1.2 million or R23 million. Big money signing Gilberto, who arrived for R11 million, is now valued at a lowly R3.8 million but there’s hope this number will grow as he grows accustomed to South African football.
Will Pirates hold their nerve and win the title this term?
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