Orlando Pirates travel to Mbombela Stadium on Saturday needing a win to claim their first South African Premiership title in 14 years after a 0-0 home draw with Durban City. The match kicks off at 15:00 CAT (13:00 GMT) and will be shown on SuperSport PSL (DSTV channel 202).
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns completed their league programme earlier because of a scheduling conflict with the CAF Champions League final. Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns amassed 68 points from 30 games with a goal difference of +36. Pirates entered the final weekend with a superior goal difference of +44 and could have drawn level on points with a victory over Durban City.
The fixture was moved from Orbit College’s North West Province base to Mbombela, a switch the club may have made for commercial reasons. The pitch issue carries added context: when Sundowns faced Orbit in March the game was played at Rustenburg’s Olympia Park and Sundowns won 2-0, with Miguel Reisinho and Iqraam Rayners on the scoresheet. Sundowns head coach Cardoso has previously criticised the surfaces his side have been asked to play on.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou faces a simple equation: a win at Mbombela secures the title, while a draw or defeat would hand Sundowns a ninth consecutive championship. Orbit College remain embroiled in a relegation battle, sitting 15th of 16 and likely to face the promotion/relegation playoffs; securing at least a point would prevent them finishing bottom and suffering automatic relegation.
Team news includes winger Tshepang Moremi returning from a two-match absence to come off the bench against Durban City, and striker Yanela Mbuthuma leaving that game with a first-half limp, a problem not described as serious. Expected lineups list Sekhoane Moerane in goal for Orbit with Thulani Jingana, Karabo Mgeshane, Thabang Nhlapo and Halalisani Vilakazi at the back, and Lucky Mahlatsi leading the attack. Pirates are forecast to start Sipho Chaine in goal, a back four of Deon Hotto, Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Kamogelo Sebelebele, midfielders Masindi Nemtajela and Thalente Mbatha, and an attack featuring Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa and Oswin Appollis.
Statistically, Pirates have conceded only 12 goals in 29 Premiership matches this season. The club’s previous league triumph came in 2011/12, when only five of the current 16 teams were in the top flight: Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu and Golden Arrows. Of those five, Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns have not been relegated since.
