Orlando Pirates are now level on points with Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership following their hard-fought 2-0 win over Chippa United on Tuesday night.
Goals from Evidence Makgopa and Oswin Appollis gave the Buccaneers all three points at the Orlando Stadium. The win sees the Buccaneers on 25 points after 11 matches, but they have a game in hand over Sundowns.
Coming into the match, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men needed a win to go level on points with Masandawana but had to fight hard to score two goals in the second half.
When are Orlando Pirates playing next?
The Buccaneers face Durban City on Saturday (29 November) afternoon at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 15:30, and the match will be televised on SuperSport channels.
A win for Pirates on Saturday could see them top the log for the very first time this season. The Durban City game is tricky, given it is the team’s last league match before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.
A week later, the Buccaneers face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. With one eye in the final, Orlando Pirates will need to treat Saturday’s match against Durban City like a final.
In January, Sundowns will be involved in the CAF Champions League, leaving them with a lot to do in the Betway Premiership. If the Buccaneers are to win the Betway Premiership, they need to win their league games and put pressure on the Brazilians, who will play catch-up later this season.
Orlando Pirates are already out of the Champions League and their main focus after 06 December will be solely on the Betway Premiership while Downs will try to fight for both.