Orlando Pirates begin a demanding week on the road with a visit to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadiumwhere they will take on Sekhukhune United on Wednesday, 5 February.
Kick-off is at 19:30.
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There is rarely time for a breather in competitive football as the Soweto giants continue with their punishing schedule.
They are faced with two testing assignments against top-four opposition in the space of days, beginning with the outing in Polokwane.
On Saturday, 8 February at 15:30, Orlando Pirates will be involved in a top-of-the-table clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Form guide
Wednesday’s match comes just days after the Soweto derby where the Buccaneers edged rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a dramatic encounter at the FNB Stadium, bagging three points to keep second place in the standings.
It was their fourth win in as many matches across all competitions, but a return to winning ways in the league after a narrow defeat in their previous appearance in the competition.
Babina Noko now stand between them and a second consecutive three-point haul which could go some way in plugging the six-point gap between themselves and current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Orlando Pirates are in second place in the standings after 12 matches into their league campaign, where they have hit double figures under the wins column.
They are now up against a Sekhukhune United side that has been one of the toughest to overcome on their home patch.
The Limpopo outfit has hosted seven different teams thus far this season, claiming 16 out of a possible 21 home points.
They currently sit in fourth place on the log with 24 points after 14 matches, thanks to seven wins, three draws and four defeats.
However, they are winless in their last two league games, having lost to Kaizer Chiefs before rallying from a goal down to rescue a point away to Stellenbosch FC.
Team news
The hosts go into the match missing two key players through suspension.
Midfielder Relebogile Mokhuoaneserves a one-match ban after picking up his fourth caution for the season against Stellenbosch FC while his partner in the centre of the park, Siphesihle Mkhize, is ruled out due to a red-card collected in the same fixture.
The Buccaneers meanwhile emerged from the Soweto derby with no fresh suspension concerns.
On the injury front, a few players are inching closer to a return to action with Goodman Mosele and Zakhele Lepasa among those that could soon feature for the first time this season.
Key players
Makhehleni Makhaula (Orlando Pirates): The veteran midfielder not only provides experience, but also an impressive workrate and crucial leadership in the middle of the park. The 35-year-old impressed with his man of the match performance in the Soweto derby, covering plenty of ground to break up play while regularly turning defence into attack in a tireless 90-minute display.
Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United): The former SA youth international has made an immediate impact since joining Babina Noko at the start of the season, delivering key contributions on a regular basis. Having started in each of Sekhukhune’s league games, Makgalwa’s accurate passing and powerful right foot make him a constant threat to the opposition.
Head-to-head
Wednesday’s match will only be the seventh fixture between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United, and so far, results have largely favoured the side playing at home.
The Buccaneers remain the only team to emerge victorious on the road, winning 1-0 on their first league visit to Babina Noko in a game played at Ellis Park in April 2022.
They have since lost two in two since their hosts’ move to Polokwane, but do maintain an unbeaten record at Orlando Stadium which has kept them ahead in terms of overall results.
Things remain tight, however, with Orlando Pirates boasting three wins overall to Sekhukhune United’s two with one match finishing in a stalemate.
There is nothing to separate the two teams in terms of goals scored in their previous meetings.
The 12 that have gone in so far are evenly shared at six apiece, with each team finding the net four times at home while only conceding twice.
Prediction
Sekhukhune United 1-1 Orland Pirates
TV coverage and ticket info
The match will be televised live on SuperSport Variety 3 (208).
Tickets are available online at Computicket as well as selected outlets nationwide.
How do you see the match finishing?
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