Pirates chase eighth straight win as Betway Premiership continues

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 29, 2024. 11:00

Orlando Pirates will chase an eighth straight win since the start of the Betway Premiership when a full round of matches is played in South Africa’s top flight, across the weekend of Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December.

Pirates have been in sensational form throughout the 2024-25 season, and they are currently on a five-game winning streak (and a run of 12 victories from 13 outings) across all competitions after opening their CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-1 away win over Algeria’s CR Belouizdad on Tuesday evening. In the Premiership, they have a full haul of 21 points from seven matches.

The Buccaneers will next test themselves against Stellenbosch FC (who were themselves in CAF action on Wednesday, losing 2-0 in Bamako to Stade Malien) at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“Getting three points [in Algeria] is a massive achievement. If I am not wrong, Al Ahly [and] Yanga [Young Africans] couldn’t make it here in the group stages last season… to collect maximum points like we did,” said Pirates coach Jose Riveiro of his team’s showing in the Champions League.

“So, we have to put this game in high estimate for our side. Like I said, coming here with a young and inexperienced team and performing the way we did is something to be proud of.

The round opens on Friday evening with SuperSport United hosting Marumo Gallants, while Saturday’s afternoon clash is a provincial derby between Richards Bay and AmaZulu FC at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

The latter club are rock bottom of the log, but looking to build on their first win of the season, a 2-0 triumph over Chippa United recorded in late October, while the Natal Rich Boyz are just two places and two points above them in 14th after a midweek loss at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs.

Usuthu have not played a competitive fixture more more than a month, and co-coach Arthur Zwane insists that while they certainly want to rise out of the red zone, the fact that they have played only five matches (the least of any team in the league) means there is no reason to regard themselves as being in a relegation battle.

“I know a lot of people will always say we’re fighting relegation, how can you fight relegation when you still have 25 games left? There’s still a lot to play for,” said Zwane.

The former Kaizer Chiefs coach added, “Right now, we are not even thinking about relegation. We are thinking about improving the team and challenging ourselves because we are in this league to compete.”

Saturday also features Kaizer Chiefs hosting Royal AM at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in the late afternoon, as well as two night matches in which Chippa and Mamelodi Sundowns will host newly crowned Carling Knockout champions Magesi FC and Sekhukhune United respectively.

Sunday, aside from the Pirates-Stellies game, will also see Golden Arrows host Cape Town City in Hammarsdale, and TS Galaxy will head to Limpopo for a clash with Polokwane City.

Betway Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 29 November

19:30: SuperSport United v Marumo Gallants

Saturday 30 November

15:30: Richards Bay v AmaZulu FC

17:45: Kaizer Chiefs v Royal AM

20:00: Chippa United v Magesi FC

20:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Sekhukhune United

Sunday 1 December

15:30: Golden Arrows v Cape Town City

15:30: Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch FC

17:45: Polokwane City v TS Galaxy