TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic has said that his side intends on celebrating an eighth place finish in the DStv Premiership as the Rockets prepare to take on Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Kick-off is at 3:00pm CAT (SA GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
Sitting in fifth spot, Galaxy head into their next encounter on the back of three consecutive draws and last tasted victory in a 2-1 result against Moroka Swallows on 24 April.
Despite being on the cusp of securing a finish in the top eight, Galaxy have struggled for positive form in the last couple of months, bagging just one victory in their last six league fixtures.
The Sea Robbers are looking to end the campaign in the runner’s up spot and currently occupy third position, one point behind second placed Stellenbosch FC.
Prior to their 1-0 defeat to Richards Bay FC last time out, the Buccaneers went on a run of seven consecutive victories in the DStv Premiership.
Pirates came out on top in the last league meeting between the two teams, as Deon Hotto’s solitary goal at the Orlando Stadium saw the Soweto giants bag maximum points in December last year.
☠️ "At our best, it's a game that we should win."
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 17, 2024
🎙 Assistant Coach | Mandla Ncikazi
🏆 #DStvPrem
⚽️ @TSGALAXYFC vs @orlandopirates
📆 Saturday, 18 May 2024
🏟 Mbombela Stadium
🕒 15h00
📺 SuperSport PSL
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/OSJ1rRv081
WHAT WAS SAID…
“We are very happy about the process because when you talk about expectations, what are the expectations for a team like us?” Ramovic said regarding his side’s season so far.
“If you don't have financial powers, your objective is to stay in the league. It is a must. But if you reach the top eight it is a fantastic season, and if you reach the top five, it is like you have won the league for us. If we reach the top eight, we will celebrate it just the same as winning the league. And next season we will see where we stand financially and how much we can spend,” he said
“We lost one final against Richards Bay [on Saturday] and we have another final on Saturday in Mbombela against TS Galaxy and another one here at Orlando Stadium against SuperSport United,” Bucs coach Jose Riveiro said ahead of his side’s next fixture.
“We are playing for something really important for the club [the Champions League] and we have to give our all. There are a lot of things we need to improve from our match against Richards Bay but the attitude and the desire to get the three points was there and that’s the most important thing.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
TS Galaxy: Samir Nurkovic – As a player with presence, Nurkovic could cause numerous problems to the Pirates backline this weekend. With eight goals to his name, the Serbian has added motivation to continue as the club’s top scorer this season.
Orlando Pirates: Tshegofatso Mabasa – Mabasa is currently the top scorer in the league this season, having scored 15 goals in 24 matches played so far. The powerful attacker came to life during the second-half of the season and will no doubt aim to get on the scoresheet against the Rockets on Saturday.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last five league games:
2021/22 Orlando Pirates 2-0 TS Galaxy
2021/22 TS Galaxy 1-0 Orlando Pirates
2022/23 Orlando Pirates 2-0 TS Galaxy
2022/23 TS Galaxy 1-2 Orlando Pirates
2023/24 Orlando Pirates 1-0 TS Galaxy