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The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Marumo Gallants vs Orlando Pirates - Tuesday, 12 August
The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season is up and running with Orlando Pirates travelling to Bloemfontein for their first away fixture of the season as they visit Marumo Gallants for a clash at Dr Molemela Stadium on Tuesday night. The fixture pits one of the league's oldest clubs against one of the youngest, drawing another chapter in what is still a new yet exciting rivalry. It also marks Bucs coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's return to his previous home as he looks to collect the Soweto giants' first Betway Premiership points of the season. It's a match-up between two sides currently placed on opposite ends of the league table, following the results of what was an exciting opening weekend of league clashes. Maruma Gallants occupy fourth place in the early standings after the first game week after their victory over Richards Bay over the weekend. It was the perfect start to newly-appointed head coach Alexandre Laffite, who got his tenure off to a winning start despite finishing the game with 10 men. Goals from ex-Bucs reserves forward Bheki Mabuza and newly-recruited midfielder Simo Mbhele handed them a 2-1 win at King Zwelithini Stadium. It came at a cost however, with skipper Edgar Manaka suspended for the clash following his 39th minute red card. They have enough cover, however, in midfield in the form of Dimakatso Mashao, Pathutshedzo Nange, and Mkhuseli Rampa. There are also a few new arrivals in the form of both goal-scorers from the weekend, along with Teboho Motloung and Jaisen Cliiford who both formed part of their match day squad over the weekend. With Tshepho Mashiloane and Kamogelo Sebelebele, two more Buccaneers debuted in the defeat to Sekhukhune United while the likes of Sipho Mbule and Oswin Appollis made their first Betway Premiership appearances in the club's colours. There could be more new faces in the match day squad with Masindi Nemtajela and Sinoxolo Kwayiba both yet to feature, while Nkosikhona Ndaba inched closer to a competitive appearance when he was included on the bench against Babina Noko. All available options could contribute towards the Buccaneers' first league points of the season after they failed to get off the mark on home turf when they fell to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday night. In their first away outing of the season, Orlando Pirates are looking to get back to winning ways having found themselves deep in the bottom half of the table early on in their campaign. They are in unfamiliar territory in 13th place –- a fair distance away from their second-place finish in the previous season. Awaiting them is a high-flying Maruma Gallants outfit looking for back-to-back victories for the first time in their two opening fixtures since first ascending into the top flight. Orlando Pirates' dominance in the fixture was halted abruptly on their last visit to the Free State when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of their new mentor back in March this year. It was their first league defeat in an unbeaten run of eight matches, which included four straight wins against Tuesday's hosts. Five of the eight previous fixtures have ended in victory for the Buccaneers, with an 8-1 win at Orlando Stadium accounting for half of the goals scored by the Soweto giants in fixtures between the two sides. A total of 20 goals have been scored with the hosts only accounting for four. Half of Gallants' goals came in the most recent fixture where they not only breached Orlando Pirates' defences for the first time at home, but also claimed their first maximum points hauling their own turf. The Buccaneers' have claimed five league victories in eight attempts against Bahlabane ba Ntwa, with two of those occurring away from home. The fixture kicks off at 19:30 with live coverage on SuperSport PSL. Tickets are available for purchase online on Computicket as well as selected outlets nationwide. Marumo Gallants 1-1 Orlando Pirates Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
09-08-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates vs Sekhukhune United - Saturday, 9 August
Another eagerly-awaited match will grace Orlando Stadium this weekend, with Orlando Pirates kicking off their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign with a clash against Sekhukhune United on Saturday evening. Kick-off is at 17:30. It's the first of 30 games in a marathon race for league supremacy among the 16 elite teams in South Africa, with the coveted Betway Premiership title up for grabs at the end of the season. Under new mentorship, the Buccaneers resume their pursuit of what has been one of their more elusive titles in recent years. Their opponents meanwhile look to build on the momentum from recent campaigns, having established themselves as a growing force on the domestic scene. Both teams enjoyed cup success over the past weekend, and the focus this time around will be on securing maximum points to kick off the season. Fresh off finishing in fourth place and equalling their best-ever finish since gaining promotion to the top flight, Sekhukhune United are looking to continue on their upward trajectory. They have become a permanent fixture in the top half of the league table in the past three seasons and are set for another appearance in CAF interclub competition. They will be eager to enhance their chances of making the cut once more through a good result in one of the toughest trips they will undertake in the upcoming season. Babina Noko have a mixed record in opening league fixtures, winning just once in four attempts. They have emerged on the losing side twice, with one game finishing level. That stalemate came in their only previous away fixture on Match Day 1, when they played to a 1-1 stalemate against Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium at the start of the 2022/23 campaign. They will be confident of an early-season upset, having dusted off the cobwebs with a fighting 3-2 victory in the MTN8 against TS Galaxy last Saturday. That fixture showcased some of the new arrivals in the camp, with the likes of two-goal hero Bradley Grobler and ex-Bucs midfielder Miguel Timm making an immediate impact on debut. The additions to the squad include two veteran goalkeepers in Zambian international Toaster Nsabata – back at the club after a short stint at ZESCO United – and former Polokwane City shot-stopper Manuel Sapunga. There is more Betway Premiership experience in the new faces brought in to bolster the attack with attacking midfielder Ronaldo Maarman joining from Chippa United while striker Wonderboy Makhubu made the move from Limpopo rivals Magesi. Much like their rivals, Orlando Pirates have been among the more active clubs in the transfer market. Five of the club's new signings got a chance to run out at Orlando Stadium in last weekend's Nedbank Cup outing. More could make their first official appearance in Bucs colours this weekend as new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou takes charge in his first league game in charge of the team. Among the first-team hopefuls are Kamogelo Sebelebele and Tshepho Mashiloane – both unused subs against Polokwane City – as well as the likes of Masindi Nemtajela and Lebone Seema, who both did not feature in the game. All have a chance to help the Buccaneers to a dream start to the campaign as they look to improve on their previous showing in the league, where they finished with a handy tally of 61 points from 28 matches to secure yet another appearance in the CAF Champions League after finishing in second place. Orlando Pirates have generally done well in opening league fixtures played on home turf, and are undefeated in their last three with their only loss occurring on the road when they went down 1-0 to Stellenbosch at the start of the 2023/24 season. The men from the Winelands are also the last team to walk away from Orlando with a point on the first game week, having done so through a 2-2 stalemate in August 2021. Moroka Swallows and Chippa United have since attempted to stun the Soweto giants on their turf early on in the season, but it was the home side that succeeded in kicking things off with maximum points on both occasions. The hosts could extend that streak on Saturday, but will have to be on top of their game as they face an unpredictable Sekhukhune outfit. Orlando Pirates hold a slight edge in this fixture in terms of head-to-head results, having won four of their league matches against Sekhukhune United. They have emerged on the losing side three times with only one match ending in a draw. Sekhukhune United were however the last to claim maximum points in the fixture, doing so at Orlando Stadium in April when they clinched a tight 1-0 win through a second-half strike from Tresor Yamba. It was their first away victory against the Buccaneers, who have won twice and drawn one game in Soweto since first crossing paths with Babina Noko. Things are evenly split in terms of goals scored, with each team breaching the other's defences eight times during their young rivalry. Orlando Pirates 1-1 Sekhukhune United Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates new coach: Ex-Bucs coaches linked
Orlando Pirates are actively searching for their next coach. Orlando Pirates are linked with FIVE massive coaches – including Pitso Mosimane, Rulani Mokwena and Benni McCarthy. Moreover, the Bucs are reportedly linked with not one – but two – former coaches. BIG READ: EX-SUNDOWNS COACH LINKED WITH ORLANDO PIRATES HOT SEAT Former head coach Fadlu Davids was reportedly approached by Pirates. However, the ex-Bucs coach turned down the Soweto giants. 'Yes, it's true that Pirates wanted Davids back. It was not only Pirates, Raja (Casablanca) also wanted him, but he wanted to remain with Simba. He says he still has some unfinished business with Simba. He has done well at Simba and the fans love him so he wants to stay at the club,' a source told the Mgosi Squad on Phakaaati. So, it will be interesting to see if Pirates re-visit interest in their former coach following the departure of Jose Riveiro. Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca coach, Mokwena is one of the favourites to take over from Jose Riveiro as the next Pirates head coach. However, what not many people know is that he was once a part of the Bucs setup. In fact, he was interim coach of Pirates in 2019. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he is one of the front-runners following his early release from Wydad. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
