Orlando Pirates on the road against AmaZulu

Orlando Pirates will be aiming to maintain their strong start to the Betway Premiership season when they travel to Durban to face AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Buccaneers are preparing for their first midweek league assignment of the campaign and their first trip outside Soweto.

The match also begins a demanding run of consecutive away fixtures for Orlando Pirates.

Orlando Pirates opened their league title defence with a 2-0 victory over Milford FC before producing a dramatic result against Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-finals. Gamphani Lungu scored the decisive goal in the 120th minute to send the Buccaneers into the next round.

Top of the standings

Now, attention turns back to league football, with another three points potentially lifting Orlando Pirates to the top of the standings.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou knows the importance of building on last season’s success and has urged his players to maintain their high standards.

“We don’t have to forget that this season is very important for us. It’s very important, we must confirm what we did last season,” Ouaddou said.

The quick turnaround will test Orlando Pirates’ squad depth, but the club’s strengthening during the transfer window has provided the coach with more options.

Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen is among the latest additions and could soon make his first appearance for the club.

AmaZulu will provide a difficult test, particularly after their own strong start to the league campaign.

Usuthu are also looking to respond after being eliminated from the MTN8 in a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Sekhukhune United. Vuyo Letlapa scored in extra time to send AmaZulu out of the competition.

Coach Arthur Zwane expects a challenging encounter against the reigning league champions.

“It’s not going to be an easy one, and we’re playing against a Pirates team that won at the weekend,” Zwane said.

AmaZulu will be determined to make home advantage count as they chase a second consecutive league victory.

Orlando Pirates hold the upper hand

The recent head-to-head record heavily favours Orlando Pirates.

The Buccaneers completed a league double over AmaZulu last season, winning 2-0 in Durban before recording a 3-0 victory at Orlando Amstel Arena.

Those victories extended Orlando Pirates’ unbeaten league run against Usuthu to 21 matches.

Orlando Pirates have won 11 of those encounters, while 10 have ended in draws. AmaZulu’s last league victory over the Buccaneers came in October 2009 at Chatsworth Stadium.