Pirates, SuperSport set for Soweto battle

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Dec 04, 2017. 10:30

Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United will meet for a high-profile Absa Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on 5 December 2017, kick-off at 19h30.

Pirates snapped a six-game winless streak by defeating Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 away on November 26. The goal was scored by former Phunya Sele Sele player Musa Nyatama, and the result propelled Pirates into second spot on the log.

The Buccaneers have claimed 11 points from a possible 18 in home matches thus far in 2017/18, but they haven’t won a game as hosts since beating Cape Town City 1-0 back in September.

SuperSport returned to league action for the first time in a month when they defeated Ajax Cape Town 1-0 at home on November 29. The Tshwane side has a lot of work ahead of them to catch up matches, but if they can put a strong run together they may emerge as the title favourites.

Matsatsantsa has played away from home just once in the league season so far: a 2-1 win at Kaizer Chiefs back in August where Aubrey Modiba and Bradley Grobler scored the goals for the Tshwane side.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and SuperSport have met in 52 league matches since 1990. The Buccaneers have claimed 22 wins compared to 17 for Matsatsantsa, while 13 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has won 12 of their 26 home league matches against their Tshwane counterparts, suffering six defeats in the process.

Last season United took four points off Pirates, claiming a massive 6-1 home win in the first half of the campaign before playing out a 1-1 draw in the return match in Soweto. Matsatsantsa are unbeaten in their last four league matches against Bucs.

Pirates’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Celtic on November 26: Mabokgwane, Chabalala, Shitolo, Nyauza, Matlaba, Sangweni, Nyatama, Qalinge (Rakhale 57'), Memela, Makola (Sarr 71'), Gabuza (Nkosi 91'+1).

SuperSport’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Ajax on November 29: Pieterse, Kekana, Gould, Egwuekwe, Boateng, Furman, Letsholonyane (Mashamaite 90+1'), Modiba, Lakay (Mbule 60'), Phala, Grobler (Brockie 79').