Pirates targeting important three points against Galaxy

Orlando Pirates will look to get their top-three challenge back on track when they take on relegation-threatened TS Galaxy in a DStv Premiership match at the Mbombela Stadium on Monday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

The Buccaneers' hopes of a return to CAF Champions League football are fading fast after back-to-back goalless draws against Baroka and Chippa United in the DStv Premiership.

Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids' side trail second-placed Royal AM by five points in fourth position with four matches remaining in the season, although they are unbeaten in their last four outings.

Even the CAF Confederation Cup could soon be out of reach for Pirates, who are four points adrift of Cape Town City with a tougher set of fixtures in the run-in.

Ncikazi admits Bucs only had themselves to blame for not coming away with all three points against the Chilli Boys after they squandered numerous chances to get on the scoresheet.

"Highly disappointed (with the performance)," he said. "A match we definitely should have won - two points dropped, valuable points that we needed. But when you miss chances like we missed you won't win matches.

"We were supposed to score today but it didn't happen. You can see the opponents played a game where they were just here to play for a point, they got what they wanted. But we wanted the three points and we couldn't score with all the dominance and control that we had."

The Rockets have been flirting with relegation all season and just cannot seem to escape the mire as they keep trading places with Swallows, who are currently out of the bottom two on goal difference.

Sead Ramovic's team were denied a valuable victory against Maritzburg United last time out when Friday Samu's 83rd-minute equaliser earned them a 1-1 draw.

However, the Team of Choice and Chippa are both in danger of getting sucked into the relegation scrap with just three points separating 12th from 15th in the standings.

Ramovic pointed out the key factors to ensuring the Mpumalanga outfit retain their top-flight status in the final four games, two of which will be in their own backyard in front of the home supporters.

"We have to stay compact, we have to stay structured, we have to play our game and score, and try to make the chances even less (for the opponent to score)," the German tactician said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

TS GALAXY

Mlungisi Mbunjana: The battle for supremacy in midfield will be key and Mbunjana needs to bring is A-game to get the better of Fortune Makaringe. The 31-year-old has featured in all but five of Galaxy's 26 league games this term and started the last three in against Kaizer Chiefs, Sekhukhune United and Maritzburg.

Augustine Kwem: The Nigerian's goals will be vital to the Rockets staying up. Kwem scored the opener from the penalty spot against the Team of Choice to take his tally for the campaign to three after a slow start to his career in Mpumalanga.

ORLANDO PIRATES

Ntsikelelo Nyauza: With Pirates failing to score in their last two encounters, Nyauza could hold the key to unlocking the opposition. The 31-year-old defender was a constant threat to Chippa from set-pieces and was denied his first goal of the season by a fine save from Lloyd Kazapua late on.

Kwame Peprah: The Ghanaian youngster didn't have very many chances against the Chilli Boys, glancing a header just wide of the goal before a low cross from Deon Hotto just eluded him at the far post in the first half. He nearly set up Nyauza with a deft header at the back post, but the defender couldn't keep his volley down. Peprah has five goals for the Buccaneers and one more will see him go level with Hotto at the top of the scoring charts for the club.