A much-anticipated clash between the Soweto giants Orland Pirates and the reigning Dstv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns awaits the country on Saturday. With both clubs currently in good form, the encounter will be expected to bring high a high intensity clash with no holds barred. Pirates coach Jose Riveiro alluded that both teams will go into the game believing that they will walk out victorious.
“I think we are both teams in a good moment in terms of results. You don’t win 13 games in a row if you are not doing things well, you don’t even win 3 games in a row if you are not doing anything well. It’s going to be a good test for both teams, one of us will not be happy at the end of the game because we are both teams that are not playing for draws, so we will see what happens, like I said two teams in a good moment, two teams full of quality and good players who will be prepared and well coached.
“The difficulty for both teams is going to be probably more difficulties than usual but for both teams in my opinion. These games will help both teams improve for the future as well, because of the level of the challenge,” the Pirates coach said to the media.
Pirates are currently occupying 4th place in the Dstv Premiership log, a point behind SuperSport United. The Soweto giants have only beaten Sundowns once in the last 5 head-to-head clashes, with the reigning league champions having won three times.
History shows that the clash between these two giants has been against the Buccaneers. However, the reigning MTN 8 champions will aim to turn things around as they have boosted their squad in the January transfer window, with the likes of Craig Martin, Ndumiso Mabena, new striker Souaibou Marou and former AmaZulu captain Makhehlene Makhaula. Also, having Thembinkosi Lorch, goalkeeper Richard Ofori and Miguel Timm back from injury, the Buccaneers will have a score to settle this Saturday.
