Magesi out to humble buoyant Pirates again

Magesi FC will be looking to ease their early relegation fears with a win over Orlando Pirates in Sunday's Betway Premiership clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Dikwena Tsa Meetse extended their winless run to four matches across all competitions when they lost 3-0 to the All Stars team in the unofficial Carling Cup on 21 December and they have also lost their last three competitive games.

Magesi are placed 16th in the Betway Premiership standings - three points behind 13th-placed AmaZulu FC and a victory over Pirates would see the Limpopo side climb out of the relegation zone if the other results go their way this weekend.

Meanwhile, Pirates stretched their unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions when they hammered Marumo Gallants 8-1 in a league encounter on 24 December and prior to that they had recorded two successive draws.

The Buccaneers are occupying the second spot in the Betway Premiership standings - three points behind leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns. Pirates, who have a game in hand, will climb up to the top of the standings if they defeat Magesi and Sundowns lose to Richards Bay on Saturday.

TEAM NEWS

Magesi FC are now under Papi Zothwane on an interim basis following Clinton Larsen's resignation as the team's head coach and the club has no suspension concerns coming into this encounter.

Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, will welcome back Patrick Maswanganyi from suspension, but Goodman Mosele, Zakhele Lepasa and Olisa Ndah are still on the club's injury list.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Magesi FC's interim head coach Papi Zothwane

“It was a fantastic start in the PSL and a big statement that Magesi are not here to play, especially by winning the Carling Knockout. We had played eight matches unbeaten, and then we lost against Chippa [United]," Zothwane said.

"Preparations were not the best, and we had to travel and face a club that was doing well. It was a big celebration after we made history, and it was well-deserved. We wanted to keep on winning, but it was not to be. Our priority is to dwell in the league and to remain in the PSL - we do not want to be fighting relegation."

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro

“This is just game No 9 [against Marumo Gallants], but you can see that it’s not going to be an easy race and every game counts, every goal [scored] every goal you concede, every goal difference," Riveiro said.

"So, we have to try and take advantage wherever the advantage is presented to us. Today we have an opportunity and I’m happy the guys didn’t speculate and continued to play vertically and attack the spaces that were open and ready for us. And overall, I think it’s a very good performance.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Edmore Chirambadare, Magesi FC: The experienced winger, who was on the score sheet when Dikwena Tsa Meetse stunned Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout on 19 October, will be looking to inspire his side to another victory over the Buccaneers.

Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates: The lethal marksman showed why he is considered among the best strikers in the country by grabbing a hat-trick against Marumo Gallants and he has what it takes to single-handedly inspire his side to a win in Polokwane.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

N/A – This will be the first league meeting of Magesi FC and Orlando Pirates.