Pirates welcome Baroka for first game of New Year

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jan 05, 2018. 09:30

Orlando Pirates’ first Absa Premiership match of the New Year sees them host Baroka FC at Orlando Stadium on 6 January 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Pirates ended off 2017 on a low note as they suffered their third league loss of the season, going down 2-1 away to Free State Stars on December 16. The Soweto giants have won just one of their last 10 matches in the top flight.

The Buccaneers have claimed 13 points from eight home matches this season. Their only defeat as hosts came against Mamelodi Sundowns in early November, but they haven’t won a home game since defeating Cape Town City 1-0 in September.

Baroka ended last year on a high as they stopped their seven-game winless streak with a 3-1 triumph over SuperSport United on December 17. It was only the second time this season the Limpopo side managed to score three goals or more.

Bakgaga have claimed 12 points from eight away matches this term, though they haven’t won on the road since beating Kaizer Chiefs in September. Their last two away matches ended in 0-4 and 0-3 defeats at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United respectively.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Baroka have met in three league matches since the latter was promoted at the start of last season, and all three have ended in 1-1 draws. Their clash earlier this season in Polokwane saw Abdi Banda net for Bakgaga, while Thabo Qalinge found the back of the net for the Buccaneers.