Orlando Pirates make their first coastal voyage of the new season as they travel to Gqeberha for Sunday afternoon’s Betway Premiership clash against Chippa United.
The picturesque Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosts this key fixture, which makes for an intriguing show-stopper for the fifth game week of the 2025/26 league campaign.
It’s an encounter that pits a Buccaneers side looking to continue in their winning ways against a side desperate to pick up some positive form amid a tough period early in the season.
The fixture has often delivered in terms of excitement, and its upcoming edition is expected to be no different with both teams still some distance away from where they would have aimed to be at this stage.
Bottom of the pile
After competing in the top flight for 10 consecutive seasons, the Chilli Boys find themselves among the early contenders for relegation this season.
They are currently bottom of the pile after failing to win each of their four matches played so far.
What started as a promising campaign, following a gutsy draw against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening game, has taken a turn for the worse.
They have since suffered three straight defeats, going down 1-0 on their visit to newly-promoted Durban City before a crushing 4-1 loss at home to TS Galaxy that was followed by another 1-0 defeat away to Richards Bay.
Now one of just two teams yet to register a win during the early part of the season, a win on Sunday will hand them three points that could see them leapfrogging up to five teams currently stationed above them.
They have remained active in the transfer market throughout the current window, having roped in three more new signings over the past week.
Experienced forwards Somila Ntsundwana and Justice Figuaredo have been brought in for a much-needed boost up front, with former Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Harold Majibodu also joining in time to contend for a spot in what will likely be a testing encounter against the Buccaneers.
Bucs Team News
The Buccaneers meanwhile have made a steady climb up the standings after finding themselves in unwanted territory following a tough start to their Betway Premiership campaign.
Their run of good results also includes cup success, having booked their spot in another MTN8 final.
They are currently placed ninth in the Betway Premiership standings with six points on the board, following wins at home to Stellenbosch FC and league newcomers Orbit College.
Now back on the road, Orlando Pirates are on a quest for their first away win in the current league campaign.
Victory on Sunday could potentially propel them as high as the top three, depending on Sunday’s other results.
The fixtures in the lead-up to the trip to Gqeberha have however come at a cost, with star forward Relebohile Mofokeng recently joining the injury list.
He was sidelined in midweek against Orbit, but could be soon back in action while the likes of captain Nkosinathi Sibisi and Deano van Rooyen remain on the mend after picking up knocks during the course of the season.
Head-to-Head
Orlando Pirates have dominated Chippa over the years, and boast a positive win record against them home and away.
They return to the Eastern Cape unbeaten in their last nine league visits after defeating their hosts eight times with just one game drawn during this period.
The Chilli Boys have meanwhile not registered a home win over the Buccaneers since their penultimate fixture of the 2015/16 season when they netted a goal in each half to claim a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Currently, the Soweto giants are on a run of three consecutive league wins, where they have scored five goals and conceded one.
They registered a double in the previous campaign, winning 2-1 through goals from Tshegofatso Mabasa and Monnapule Saleng at Orlando Stadium, while Nkosinathi Sibisi’s first-half strike separated the two sides at Nelson Mandela Bay.
TV Coverage and Ticket Info
The fixture kicks off at 15:00 with live coverage on SuperSport PSL.
Tickets are available for purchase online on WebTickets.
Prediction
Chippa United 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Will Orlando Pirates slip up or pick up the full three points against Chippa United?
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