Royal AM lay down challenge to red hot Pirates

With Royal AM ready to continue their course in the Betway Premiership this week, Thwihli Thwahla believe that they are ‘ready’ to face an in-form Orlando Pirates outfit at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday evening.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Royal AM last featured on the 29th of December 2024, after their games were paused owing to unpaid salaries to players and coaches. Thwihli Thwahla was also placed under curatorship by the South African Revenue Services due allegations of unpaid tax.

Now, though, with the players receiving their outstanding earnings, Royal AM are back in business, beginning with their tie against the Sea Robbers. The popular Pietermaritzburg outfit are winless in their last five league games and recorded back-to-back defeats against AmaZulu and TS Galaxy in their previous two outings.

While Royal AM sit in a lowly 15th position after 11 matches played, Pirates are seemingly challenging for the Betway Premiership crown this season.

Hovering just three points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in 2nd place, Pirates are hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Cape Town City last time out. Despite recording two defeats in their last five league ties, Pirates were on the end of morale boosting wins against Belouizdad and Al Ahly in the CAF Champions league most recently.

WHAT WAS SAID

With Royal AM eager to restart their campaign, club manager Richard Makhoba expressed that his side are going to ‘fight’ for the matchday points on Thursday.

“I think it will be tough game. Want to congratulate Pirates for their good run in the CAF Champions League. We expect a very exciting match. It’s not going to be easy,” Makhoba said.

“They are a team of the moment, but we are willing to go out there and fight. We are going to give our best shot and 90 minutes will decide the outcome of the match.”

Speaking after Pirates' memorable win over Al Ahly, coach Jose Riveiro believes his side are capable of performing in high pressure situations.

“I appreciate my players for playing like This, showing resilience against Ahly in Cairo,” Riveiro said.

“It is a message for ourselves as a young team to say and understand that we have the capacity to compete in scenarios like this one.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Royal AM: Sera Motebang – With Pirates known for being defensively sound, Motebang will have his work cut out for him against Pirates. However, the centre-forward brings experience to the Royal AM frontline and will need the right kind of service to produce the goods.

Orlando Pirates: Patrick Maswanganyi – As the heartbeat for Pirates in the middle of the park, Maswanganyi will once again be tasked to pick holes in the opposition backline tomorrow evening. It can be said that Maswanganyi has been one of the best midfielders in the PSL this season and for that reason, Royal AM will have to pay keen attention to the 26-year-old throughout the 90 minutes.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last five league games:

2021/22 Royal AM 2-2 Orlando Pirates

2022/23 Royal AM 1-2 Orlando Pirates

2022/23 Orlando Pirates 1-1 Royal AM

2023/24 Orlando Pirates 4-2 Royal AM

2023/24 Royal AM 0-4 Orlando Pirates