Catch-up clashes for Pirates, Stellenbosch and Sundowns

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025. 11:00

Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns will need to forget their CAF club exploits from this past weekend as they head into important catch-up matches in South Africa’s Betway Premiership on the evening of Wednesday 30 April.

Pirates, who suffered a heart-breaking 3-2 defeat at the hands of Pyramids FC in the return leg of their CAF Champions League semifinal last Friday to exit the competition, will be at home to Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

“Congratulations to our players; our group for the fantastic performance that they gave us and all of our fans during this season,” said Pirates coach Jose Riveiro.

“It’s been second to none, honestly. We are out of the competition [Champions League] after losing our first match in the whole tournament. A tough one to swallow, to digest, we will need a little bit of time because I think it’s a very cruel result.”

The Buccaneers need to lift themselves and try to put together a string of victories, as they look to chase down Sundowns (who have a nine-point lead over the Buccaneers, but have played two more games) in the race for the title.

Third-placed Babina Noko, however, will be no easy prey. They have improved since the arrival of Eric Tinkler a few weeks ago, and the veteran tactician was angered by their 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy this past weekend.

“This should have been the easiest of our remaining five league fixtures,” said the Sekhukhune boss. “I was counting on three points from this match before tougher ones that lie ahead, starting with a visit to Orlando Pirates on Wednesday.”

Stellenbosch, who went out of the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals this past weekend after they could only draw 0-0 with Tanzania’s Simba FC, will be at home to Chippa United at the Danie Craven Stadium, as they seek to reclaim third place from Sekhukhune.

Sundowns, meanwhile, will welcome Richards Bay to the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The Brazilians will be on a major high after their 1-1 draw away to Al Ahly last Friday evening secured a place in the CAF Champions League final.

“We trust in a club that supports and gives [us] [the resources] to work hard, and trust in our families that are at home, the love we receive, trust in our supporters that are in South Africa. Basically, in brotherhood, we trust,” Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said.

However, the Portuguese will no doubt emphasise the importance of ensuring that Sundowns do not lose focus on their ambition of winning an eighth successive Premiership title – especially as the visiting Natal Rich Boyz are embroiled in the battle to avoid the relegation playoffs and will arrive in Pretoria determined to take advantage of any complacency from the hosts.

Betway Premiership midweek fixtures

Times CAT

Wednesday 30 April

19:30: Orlando Pirates v Sekhukhune United

19:30: Stellenbosch FC v Chippa United

19:30: Mamelodi Sundowns v Richards Bay