Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro insists his title contenders cannot afford to drop many more points as they prepare to take on Sekhukhune United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
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🗓 05 February 2025
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CURRENT FORM:
The Buccaneers suffered only their second defeat of the season when they went down 1-0 to Cape Town City on 8 January, but they bounced back by beating arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the Soweto derby on Saturday.
The win came in dramatic fashion after Riveiro's side were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time and Patrick Maswanganyi stepped up to convert his spot-kick in 'panenka' style.
Pirates initially cut the gap at the Betway Premiership summit to three points, but Mamelodi Sundowns restored their six-point cushion with a 4-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Sunday.
Bucs do crucially have a game in hand on the Brazilians and Riveiro has indicated it will take 70 points or more to mount a serious title challenge.
Babina Noko are battling it out with Limpopo neighbours Polokwane City for the final CAF berth, although Rise And Shine may have aspirations to push for a top-two finish.
Lehlohonolo Seema's side are enjoying another impressive campaign, winning seven of their opening 14 matches to sit fourth in the standings, four points behind Polokwane, who have played one game more.
Sekhukhune played out to a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch on 1 February which left them winless in their last two outings after going unbeaten in their first three encounters of 2025.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro
"If we want to call ourselves league contenders in South Africa, in the PSL, you know that you have to go maybe over 70 points.
"Sundowns got 72 points last season, so any team that wants to be a league contender in South Africa must understand that they cannot give away many points.
"Again, we are going to Polokwane on Wednesday (for a meeting with Sekhukhune United) and the prize is the same, it's three points."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sekhukhune United - Andy Boyeli is in the running for the Golden Boot after making an bright start to life in Polokwane. The 23-year-old striker has bagged five goals in 13 league appearances since his arrival from Power Dynamos in July, including a hat-trick against SuperSport United on 12 January. He is just two goals behind top scorer Lucas Ribeiro as the league season reaches its midway point.
Orlando Pirates - Tshegofatso Mabasa proved a real handful for Chiefs and could have had a hat-trick after getting himself into some promising positions. The 28-year-old striker saw a shot deflected over by Rushwin Dortley on 32 minutes and missed a great chance to open the scoring six minutes later when he fired wide from 12 yards out, while he was denied by a good save from Sipho Chaine in the 56th minute.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)
Matches - 5
Sekhukhune wins - 2
Pirates wins - 2
Draws - 1