Pirates look to avoid stumbling start against Sekhukhune

Orlando Pirates will host Sekhukhune United in their opening game of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 5:30pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Pirates dispatched Polokwane City 2-0 at Orlando Stadium in their MTN8 quarterfinal last Saturday. New signing Oswin Appolis scored against his former club and earned the penalty, which Patrick Maswanganyi slotted to double the lead.

New Buccaneers head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will hope to start his first full Betway Premiership campaign in similar fashion.

Sekhukhune United also advanced to the MTN8 semifinals after a 3-2 comeback victory against TS Galaxy at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last Saturday. New addition Bradley Grobler proved his worth, scoring a brace to draw his side level before Vusimuzi Mncube bagged the eventual winner in the 69th minute.

Babina Noko will look to keep their momentum rolling into the Betway Premiership’s opening weekend as the club aims for a top-three finish and a spot in the Caf Confederations Cup.

WHAT WAS SAID

After his first official game in charge of the Buccaneers, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said he was aware of the pressure that comes with the job of Bucs boss.

“I know the expectation of the fans, I know the expectation of the board, and of course, I will do my best to try to reach these targets,” he said after Pirates’ MTN8 clash at the weekend.

“The players did a very good job over the last three years. So let's keep going, let's keep going. We have a big challenge this season.”

New Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler hopes to improve on the club’s last two seasons, which saw Babina Noko finish fourth, setting his players a target of 50 points.

“The club has finished fourth twice, two seasons in a row, just fell short of Caf Confed, so next season you want to take that one step higher. We are not looking at it as being in the top three, but more as points we can achieve – a certain amount of points this season. The club has never broken the 50-point mark. Can we do that as a club?

“That will mean we are moving in the right direction when it comes to the points, so that has been the objective,” said Tinkler.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando Pirates - Oswin Appolis: After a dream debut for the Buccaneers in the MTN8, Appolis will look to continue his fine form for his new side. His lethal pace and finishing ability will undoubtedly present problems for the Sekhukhune defence.

Sekhukhune United - Bradley Grobler: With his brace against TS Galaxy last weekend, Grobler has now scored in 15 different PSL seasons. The 37-year-old will be looking to impress in his new colours as he closes in on Siyabonga Nomvethe's goal-scoring record, with just 11 goals to go.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (League results since 2021/22)

Orlando Pirates wins: 4

Sekhukhune United wins: 3

Draws: 1

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021/22 Pirates 2-1 Sekhukhune Mntambo (pen), Dlamini; Parusnath

2021/22 Sekhukhune 0-1 Pirates Makaringe

2022/23 Sekhukhune 2-0 Pirates Mokwana, Mncube

2022/23 Pirates 1-1 Sekhukhune Dzvukamanja; Gyimah

2023/24 Pirates 1-0 Sekhukhune Monyane

2023/24 Sekhukhune 2-1 Pirates Mncube, Mntambo; Mabasa