Orlando Pirates have a golden opportunity to reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership when they travel to Polokwane to face Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers head into the encounter on 28 points from 12 matches, just one behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who climbed to the summit after a 2–0 win over Orbit College on Monday. Victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium would see Pirates leapfrog the defending champions, despite still holding a game in hand.
Having emerged as Sundowns’ closest challengers in each of the last three seasons, Pirates appear poised for another sustained title push under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Standing in their way is a familiar face in the opposite dugout, with Sekhukhune led by former Pirates mentor Eric Tinkler.
Tinkler, who was in charge of Pirates between December 2014 and June 2016, left the club without silverware but later lifted the Nedbank Cup with Cape Town City and the MTN8 with SuperSport United. His Sekhukhune side arrive on the back of a narrow 1–0 defeat to Stellenbosch, a match decided by a debut goal from Tshegofatso Mabasa — on loan from Pirates.
Despite that setback, Sekhukhune sit fourth on the log and remain outsiders in the title race. A home win would pull them firmly back into contention and derail Pirates’ momentum.
Match details
Date: Saturday, 24 January
Kick-off: 15:30 CAT (13:30 GMT)
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Broadcast: SuperSport DStv Channel 202
Team news
Sekhukhune will be without Masindi Nemtajela, who is suspended. Pirates, meanwhile, could hand debuts to new signings André de Jong, Daniel Msendami and defender Mpho Chabatsane as Ouaddou continues to freshen up his squad.