By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The year 2021 in the DStv Premiership will get off to a thrilling start when champions Mamelodi Sundowns play host Orlando Pirates at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm.
Sundowns ended off 2020 in the Premiership with a 1-1 draw away to Golden Arrows but are currently top the log on goal difference ahead of Swallows FC, and it has still been a great start to the defence of their title.
The Brazilians co-coach Rulani Mokwena insists that their approach remains the same: “We come to a match with the expectation to win and that has been our motto this season, we take it one game at a time. We want to win every single match.”
Meanwhile Pirates last in league action was when they defeated Chippa United 1-0 at home and they are unbeaten, in fifth place and five points off the pace of Sundowns.
Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer said “We have to turn our focus to Sundowns after Christmas and between Sundowns and Swallows is the second leg [against Sagrada Esperance] and I hope we do very well like we did [in the away game in Angola].”
Zinnbauer shruggred off talk of a title challenge: “We don’t speak about this right now, it’s too early. We have opportunities, but it is a long, long way and long fight.”
In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Pirates have met in 71 league matches since 1985. The Brazilians have claimed 30 wins compared to 21 for the Buccaneers, while 20 games have been drawn. The Tshwane side has won 14 of 36 home matches in the rivalry, suffering 10 defeats in the process.
Pirates took four points off Sundowns last season, winning 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium in January 2020 before a 0-0 draw in the return game at Dobsonville Stadium in August 2020 – the latter match was the first in the ‘bio bubble’ which finished the 2019-20 campaign.
This season the Sea Robbers won the MTN8 after defeating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, while they trounced rivals Kaizer Chiefs 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals.