Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates will be aiming to end Mamelodi Sundowns’ record winning run in the DStv Premiership when the teams meet at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Kick off is at 15:30.
The two giants are both enjoying some good form, with Sundowns on a 14-match winning streak while Pirates have won their last three league games.
It was a rare blemish for Sundowns in a season of superiority, and Pirates will be looking to do the same as they host them.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says, “the team looks very solid, the midfield cannot be solid without the help of the back four, they cannot be solid if the forwards are not coming and helping. This is a collective on the part of the team,” said Riveiro.
“We have, at this moment, many players in very good form and in a very good moment. This is very good for the team because the competition during the week is tough, and if you want to be on the field, you really have to deserve it.”
He added, “Our capacity to execute in the last third, which is the most difficult thing in this sport, was not the best sometimes but we didn’t stop, we started again. We continue trusting and now we’re collecting more goals and obviously more points as well.”
Pirates are one of the three teams that have beaten Sundowns this season and that could see them fancying their chances ahead of Saturday’s encounter.
After TS Galaxy and SuperSport United who have beaten Sundowns, the Buccaneers eliminated the Brazilians from the MTN8 following a semi-final, second-leg victory.
Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena said, “sometimes people think it’s a God-given right to win games. It’s very difficult to win games here in the PSL. You only have to look at why others are not doing what we are doing,” said Mokwena.
“It’s because it’s not easy. That’s why I sit here and say compliments to the players and I applaud them. It’s not because I’ve got nothing else to say. It’s genuinely well-deserved praise.”
He added, “This group of players comes together every day, works hard on every action from videos to corrections to oppositional analysis to training where every ball counts, and every action on the pitch matters.
“We should not let it be embedded for people to perceive it as easy. It’s incredible what this group of players continues to do every day.”
In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Sundowns have met in 76 league matches dating back as far as 1985. The Brazilians have claimed 35 wins compared to 21 for the Buccaneers, while 20 games have been drawn.
Pirates have recorded 11 wins, eight draws and 18 defeats from their 37 matches as hosts in this rivalry.