Pirates look to bounce back

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Feb 22, 2019. 11:00

Orlando Pirates will look to bounce back from Absa Premiership defeat when they host AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium on 23 February 2019, kick-off at 20h15.

Pirates saw their 15-game unbeaten run come to an end when they went down 1-0 away to SuperSport United on February 20. It was the Soweto giants’ first defeat in the league since August 2018.

The Buccaneers have claimed 14 points from nine home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-1 draw with Baroka on January 22.

AmaZulu picked up a second successive league win after they edged Cape Town City 1-0 at home on February 9, thanks to a second-half goal from Tapelo Nyongo.

Usuthu have claimed nine points from as many away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 2-0 win at Mamelodi Sundowns in late January.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and AmaZulu have met in 56 league matches since 1985. The Buccaneers have claimed 24 wins compared to 10 for Usuthu, while 22 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has claimed 15 wins from 27 home league matches against the Durban side, suffering four defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the King Zwelithini Stadium in October 2018, they played out a 1-1 draw after goals from Emiliano Tade and Augustine Mulenga. It was a fifth 1-1 draw from the last eight league matches between the clubs.

Pirates’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to SuperSport on February 20: Sandilands, Mobara (Memela 67’), Jele, Ndengane, Maela, Motshwari, Mlambo (Gabuza 69’), Nyatama (Makola 83’), Lorch, Shonga, Pule.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 1-0 win over City on February 9: Mbatha, M. Gumede, Sikhakhane, P. Gumede, Nyongo, Morton, Darpoh (Ouro-Akoriko 84'), Vilakazi, Sithebe, Ncobeni (Chawapiwa 65'), Karuru (Cele 70').