2024/25 Betway Premiership
Matchday 7
Orlando Pirates v Richards Bay
Orlando Stadium
Soweto, South Africa
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Kick-off is at 19h30 CAT
Orlando Pirates will be looking to keep their perfect record in the Betway Premiership intact when they welcome Richards Bay to the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday, November 5.
The Buccaneers have made a flying start to the 2024-25 season, winning the MTN8 for a record third time in a row and maintaining that momentum in the league.
Jose Riveiro’s side made it six wins from six as they beat TS Galaxy 2-0 on October 29 to remain three points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table.
This, after Bafana ba Style saw their perfect start in the top flight come to an end two days prior with a 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City, although they bounced back by running out convincing 3-0 victors over Cape Town City on October 30.
The Natal Rich Boys have failed to build on their opening-day victory against Galaxy in Brandon Truter’s first game in charge as they’ve collected just three points from their next five outings.
A 2-0 reverse Sekhukhune United on October 29 extended their winless run to five matches and left Truter’s side down in 12th place with a two-point cushion to the danger zone.
The KZN outfit have only shipped four goals in their opening six fixtures, but scoring is a problem as they’ve only found the back of the net once.
Truter admits that Bucs will have fresher legs after not playing at the weekend, with Richards Bay progressing to the Carling Knockout semi-finals after eliminating the Citizens on penalties.
“No, I am worried, Pirates didn’t play this weekend or midweek. So, they are fresh, we are going to Orlando as well. It’s a difficult place to go to especially with the Ghost filling the stadium,” he said.
“So, we are very mindful about that, we have some concerns in Keegan Allen, he’s going for a scan as we speak, it might be a concussion and then we lost Langa as well with the red card.
“So like I said now, we are not a big squad and we rely on the DDC boys that’s in there as well. Hats off to Msomi [Sibusiso] who keeps producing these boys.”
Head-to-Head (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)
Matches – 5
Pirates wins – 2
Richards Bay wins – 1
Draws – 2
“This is my brother. Cedric Kaze is my second assistant; we worked together at Young Africans,” Nabi said. “We won too many trophies with Young Africans. Very good moments and sometimes bad moments. He is a good guy with a big experience and too many skills.
“I thank Mr Kaizer [Motaung] Jr and Mr Bobby [Motaung] for giving me the opportunity for Kaze to come. I am very happy. He is a very good guy, a gentleman, and a very good coach. I am very happy about that.”
Matsatsantsa are hoping to turn the corner after back-to-back losses against Cape Town City (1-0) and Pirates (2-0) saw them drop down to 13th position on four points.
Another fixture to keep an eye out for will be the visit of Mamelodi Sundowns to the other home of Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, October 27.
Bafana ba Style trail Pirates by three points in second place ahead of their meeting with Royal AM in midweek, having won their opening three games of the season to remain the only other team still sporting a perfect record in the top flight.
Rise And Shine kicked off proceedings with successive wins against AmaZulu (2-1) and Magesi (2-0) before going down 3-0 to the Buccaneers. They sit fifth in the standings after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch on September 29.
Betway Premiership matchday 7 fixtures:
- Tuesday, November 5
- 19h30: Orlando Pirates v Richards Bay
- Wednesday, November 6
- 19h30: Mamelodi Sundowns v Polokwane City
- 19h30: Stellenbosch v TS Galaxy