Pirates target three points against SuperSport

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 14, 2018. 12:29

Orlando Pirates will target three Absa Premiership points when they host SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on 15 September 2018, kick-off at 20h15 CAT.

Pirates claimed their second win of the season – and avoided a third straight defeat – when they beat Black Leopards 2-1 away from home on August 28, with Vincent Pule scoring the decisive goal.

The Buccaneers have claimed just one point from two home matches thus far in the 2018/19 season and a first win in front of their own fans in Soweto will be welcomed by coach Milutin Sredojevic and his charges.

SuperSport claimed a third win from their opening four matches when they defeated Chippa United 2-1 at home on August 29, with goals from Teboho Mokoena and Evans Rusike.

Matsatsantsa have recorded one win and one defeat from their two away games so far in 2018/19, losing 2-0 at Cape Town City and winning 1-0 at Bidvest Wits

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and SuperSport have met in 54 league matches since 1990. The Buccaneers have claimed 22 wins compared to 17 for Matsatsantsa, while 15 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has won 12 of their 27 home league matches against their Tshwane counterparts, suffering six defeats in the process.

Last season the teams cancelled each other out and the defences were very much on top, as they drew 0-0 both in December 2017 and April 2018. Pirates and SuperSport have played to four draws in their last five league meetings.

Pirates’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Leopards on August 28: Mpontshane, Matlaba (Mahlonoko 90+2’), Jele, Munetsi, Maela, Mako, Motshwari, Mlambo, Mntambo (Shonga 63’), Pule (Thopola 77’), Gabuza.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 2-1 win over Chippa on August 29: Williams, Kekana, Khumalo, Daniels, Bhasera, Lakay (Lungu 78’), Furman, Mokoena, Modiba (Gould 90’), Rusike (Ntshangase 68’), Keene.