Orlando Pirates take to the road for the first time in their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign, docking at King Zwelithini Stadium for Sunday’s clash against Richards Bay.
It’s the last fixture in what has been a busy September for the Buccaneers, who have been involved in three different competitions.
Form guide
They close out the month still unbeaten in the new season having already taken to the field a total of nine times, winning seven and drawing twice.
These include their two Betway Premiership outings, where they have collected all six available points through home wins against Chippa United and Polokwane City.
In between the two league victories, the Soweto giants enjoyed continental cup success as they qualified for the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
They did so by completing a 3-0 aggregate win over Jwaneng Galaxy, beating them home and away.
Their away win against the Botswana champions has so far been their only victory on the road this season, with their other two games played away from Orlando Stadium producing stalemates.
This could make for a tricky challenge against the men from KwaZulu-Natal who were victorious in their only home outing, beating TS Galaxy 1-0 in their league opener.
With a further two matches played since then, the Natal Rich Boys have managed to add just a single point to their tally as they fell to a narrow defeat away to Chippa United before playing to a goalless draw against provincial rivals Royal AM.
They now find themselves in ninth place in the standings and will be determined to return to winning ways with a solid performance against the third-placed Buccaneers.
Team news
Thabiso Monyane is unavailable for selection after he was booked during the victory over Polokwane City.
The right-back has accumulated four yellow cards, prompting an automatic suspension that rules him out for one match.
Meanwhile, midfielder Miguel Timm is one of a handful of players inching close to a return to the match-day squad after a brief spell on the sidelines.
There are no suspension concerns for the hosts going into Sunday’s encounter, while new signings Siyabonga Dube and Sabelo Radebe will be eyeing their first appearances in the club’s colours.
Key players
Thabiso Sesane (Orlando Pirates): Amid stiff competition for spots in the Bucs defence, Sesane has risen to claim a regular place in the starting lineup through hard work and commitment which has been evident on the field. With the Buccaneers requiring a solid defensive effort in search of their first away points this season, the 24-year-old’s calm demeanour and excellent reading of the game could prove crucial.
Salim Magoola (Richards Bay): Having kept clean sheets in two of their three matches played thus far, Richards Bay’s last line of defence could be the difference in what is a testing assignment for the hosts. The Ugandan international is yet to concede in two league games against the Buccaneers and will be eager to keep that streak running on Sunday.
Head-to-head
Orlando Pirates head into the fixture looking to avoid a slip-up similar to their last visit to the KZN outfit.
On that occasion, they conceded their first defeat to the hosts who won 1-0 through a first-half strike from Sanele Barns.
There has been little to choose between the two sides in what is a relatively new rivalry that has spanned just four league matches.
Each side boasts a solitary victory to date, with the Buccaneers’ only win dating back to April last year when Terrence Dzvukamanja and Monnapule Saleng each found the net to hand them three points on the road.
TV coverage and ticket info
Kick-off is at 15:00 and the game will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL.
Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro and selected outlets nationwide.
Prediction
Richards Bay 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Log ahead of kick-off
How do you see the match finishing?
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