A determined Orlando Pirates have backed themselves to gain revenge over Mamelodi Sundowns when the teams meet in a top-of-the-table Betway Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium on Sunday 16 March.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT.
MATCH BACKGROUND
Orlando Pirates come into this clash knowing that anything less than a win will all but ensure that Mamelodi Sundowns go on to win an eighth successive Premiership title. The Buccaneers are 18 points behind the Brazilians (albeit with four games in hand), but perhaps a more important aspect will be gaining revenge on their rivals after suffering a 4-1 thrashing when the teams met just over a month ago.
Pirates, however, stuttered in their most recent outing, only claiming a 0-0 draw away to Stellenbosch FC. Normally such a result would not be deemed a failure on behalf of the Soweto side, but given that Stellies played most of the match with 10 men – and in the context of a title race drifting seemingly inexorably in favour of the reigning champions – it was very much a case of two points dropped, rather than one gained.
At the same time that Pirates were playing out their stalemate, Sundowns racked up a 19th win from 22 league matches by outclassing AmaZulu 2-0 – thanks to goals from Peter Shalulile and Arthur Sales. The Brazilians are so firmly in control of the title race that they can afford to lose this game, and watch Pirates win all four of their outstanding fixtures, and still be three points clear.
WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro on reaching a landmark 120 games in charge of the club:
“Probably, now, I cannot give the real value and the meaning of those 120 games, but let’s go for more.
“I am not going to say I am proud of myself because I am not doing this alone. For coaches in our positions to stay at a club for 120 games – I am about to finish my third season here at Pirates – it looks normal, but it’s not for us.
“It’s been a long run... what can I say? It’s just a number, but when you look at that number you know how much dedication is behind it, how much time and [how many] sacrifices.”
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso insists that they are not thinking about an eighth successive title:
“I do not take anything in life for granted. I have a lot of respect for myself and for football. This championship will be tough because no one will give up from any side.
“The advantage we have, we need to keep it for as long as possible, and we need to prepare as best as we can.
“Any team can take points from any team if you do not respect the championship and the game itself by giving your best.”
KEY PLAYERS
Sipho Chaine, Orlando Pirates
After keeping a clean sheet in midweek against Stellenbosch, and putting up a great showing in last weekend’s Nedbank Cup penalty shootout triumph over SuperSport United, Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine is in great form. The shot-stopper will likely be tested by Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend, but will hope to rise to the challenge.
Lucas Ribeiro, Mamelodi Sundowns
The Brazilian attacker put in a superb display when these teams last met, and has been in magnificent form throughout the season – seemingly creating and finishing off scoring chances at will. Ribeiro will be a major threat to Orlando Pirates this weekend, and knows that another victory over their rivals will all but seal the championship.
Head-to-head
In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Sundowns have met in 80 league matches dating back as far as 1985. The Brazilians have claimed 38 wins compared to 21 for the Buccaneers, while 21 games have been drawn.
When the teams met earlier this season, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in February, Sundowns claimed an emphatic 4-1 home win, thanks to goals from Grant Kekana, Lucas Ribeiro (two) and Teboho Mokoena.
LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2019/20 Sundowns 0-0 Pirates
2020/21 Sundowns 1-0 Pirates B. Onyango
2020/21 Pirates 0-3 Sundowns Nascimento (pen), Shalulile, Lakay
2021/22 Pirates 0-2 Sundowns Shalulile 2
2021/22 Sundowns 4-1 Pirates Zwane, Safranko 2, Shalulile; Makaringe
2022/23 Sundowns 2-0 Pirates Mvala, Mailula
2022/23 Pirates 0-1 Sundowns Mailula
2023/24 Pirates 0-1 Sundowns Ribeiro Costa (pen)
2023/24 Sundowns 1-1 Pirates Allende; Xoki (pen)
2024/25 Sundowns 4-1 Pirates Kekana, Ribeiro 2, Mokoena; Hotto
LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 39 11 8 20 33 50
Sundowns 41 18 13 10 58 37
Away
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 41 10 13 18 37 58
Sundowns 39 20 8 11 50 33
Total
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 80 21 21 38 70 108
Sundowns 80 38 21 21 108 70