Pirates look to halt Wits’ momentum

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Aug 14, 2018. 15:30

Orlando Pirates will look to halt Bidvest Wits’ momentum in the Absa Premiership when they meet at Orlando Stadium on 15 August 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Pirates claimed their first win of the campaign when they edged Chippa United 1-0 away from home on August 8, thanks to an own goal from Chilli Boys defender Gerald Modisane.

The Buccaneers’ only previous home game this term was a 1-1 draw at home to Highlands Park in the first weekend of the month.

Wits claimed a second successive league win when they powered to a 3-1 triumph away to Kaizer Chiefs at ‘Soccer City’, with goals from Deon Hotto, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Gift Motupa.

The Clever Boys will be hoping they can pick up a second straight away win – and over a Soweto giant to boot – as they aim to continue their fine start to the 2018/19 Absa Premiership campaign.

In head-to-head stats, Wits and Pirates have met in 65 league matches since 1985. The Buccaneers have claimed 26 wins to the Clever Boys’ 18, while 21 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has claimed 15 wins and suffered seven defeats from 32 turns as hosts in this rivalry.

Last season Wits claimed a 1-0 home in the first half of the campaign, but Pirates recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory in the return game in Soweto, which featured two goals for Augustine Mulenga. The result broke a six-game losing streak for Bucs against the Johannesburg team.

Pirates’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Chippa on August 8: Mpontshane, Jele, Shitolo, Maela, Dube, Mlambo, Nyatama, Makola (Mobara 86'), Mako, Pule (Mahachi 65'), Shonga (Thopola 76').

Wits’ line-up from their 3-1 win over Chiefs on August 7: Keet, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Johannes, Hlanti, Dzvukamanja, Monare, Alexander (Weidlich 89’), Hotto (Mere 83’), Machupu, Motupa (Domingo 61’).