Pirates insist their title dreams are still alive ahead of Chippa clash

Orlando Pirates insist that their Betway Premiership title dreams are still alive and well, as they prepare for a clash with Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The teams will meet on the evening of Wednesday, 5 March 2025, with kick-off at 7.30pm CAT.

MATCH BACKGROUND

Pirates saw their title ambitions suffer a massive blow this past weekend, as they were beaten 2-0 by Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium. The defeat came immediately after reigning champions and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns beat Kaizer Chiefs to open up an 18-point lead.

The Buccaneers may have four games in hand in second place, but that is a huge amount of ground to try and make up. Yet any attempt to do so must start in Gqeberha on Wednesday night, as they seek a fourth successive win over Chippa United across all competitions.

The hosts, meanwhile, played out a 0-0 draw away to Richards Bay this past weekend, meaning they have recorded just one win from their last five outings across all competitions.

The Chilli Boys are placed ninth on the log, as they find themselves in a battle with the likes of TS Galaxy, Kaizer Chiefs, Cape Town City, Golden Arrows and SuperSport United to finish in the top half of the table.

WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING

Chippa United coach Thabo September on believing in his players’ ability:

“All you need is to give players confidence and the ability will take over. We believe in them, that's why we put them in those positions so they can help the team.”

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi emphasises that his team is not conceding the title:

“Some teams have played 20 games and we are four behind. If we win our next games, the race is still on. We are taking it one game at a time and will continue doing that until we are told otherwise.”

On the defeat to Gallants he added, “Honestly in terms of the game I don’t think we deserved to lose if you count the chances created. But chances created and not scored are not good enough.”

KEY PLAYERS

Chippa United: Giovanni Philander

Though Chippa fired blanks against Richards Bay this past weekend, Philander once again showed off the talent that has him regarded as one of the most exciting up-and-comers in the Betway Premiership, and he will be hungry to enhance that status against the Buccaneers.

Orlando Pirates: Relebohile Mofokeng

The young attacker endured a frustrating match against Marumo Gallants on the weekend, in which he was unable to capitalise on the chances which fell his way. Mofokeng will look to return to his ruthless best when Pirates head to Gqeberha on Wednesday.

"Is the title race over?"

"Is Monnapule Saleng still a Bhakaniya?"

Here's what Mandla Ncikazi had to say after the loss to Marumo Gallants 👇#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/4LnfAwkxiQ
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 3, 2025

HEAD-TO-HEAD

In head-to-head stats, Chippa and Pirates have met in 23 league matches since 2012/13. The Buccaneers have claimed 16 wins compared to four for the Chilli Boys, while three games have been drawn.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Orlando Stadium in September 2024, Pirates recovered from a goal down (netted by former Bucs stalwart Andile Jali) to win 2-1 thanks to a penalty from Tshegofatso Mabasa and a late strike by Monnapule Saleng.

LAST 10 RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2019/20 Chippa 1-2 Pirates Kwem; Mhango 2 (1 pen)

2020/21 Pirates 1-0 Chippa Makaringe

2020/21 Chippa 0-3 Pirates Hotto, Hanamub (og), Motshwari

2021/22 Chippa 1-3 Pirates Mahlambi; Mabasa, Mabaso, Mosele

2021/22 Pirates 0-0 Chippa

2022/23 Pirates 0-1 Chippa Banda

2022/23 Chippa 0-2 Pirates Dlamini, Lorch

2023/24 Chippa 1-1 Pirates Mosele; Shandu

2023/24 Pirates 2-0 Chippa Mabasa 2 (1 pen)

2024/25 Pirates 2-1 Chippa Mabasa (pen), Saleng; Jali