Without a doubt, the talks in both Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United’s dressing rooms have been about bouncing back ahead of their Betway Premiership showdown on Tuesday.
The Buccaneers host SuperSport at Orlando Stadium where kick-off has been set for 19:30.
The two sides were embarrassingly dispatched from the Carling Knockout Cup at the weekend.
Coach Gavin Hunt’s United were drubbed 4-0 by the merciless Kaizer Chiefs in the round of 16, while the Sea Robbers were humbled by Premiership rookies Magesi FC in a 3-2 defeat.
But dwelling on the past and crying over spelt milk will do more harm than good for Pirates and Matsatsantsa a Pitori.
They need to take the lessons and focus on the Premiership where they still have a chance to fight for top honours.
Here we bring you everything you need to know about the meeting Esgodini sikaMaminzela.
Pirates, SuperSport to deliver another humdinger
Clashes between Pirates and SuperSport have always been a great spectacle and usually difficult to call how they will likely pan out.
It normally boils down to who wanted it the most on the day and made fewer mistakes.
And if you look at the two sides’ recent defeats in the Carling Knockout, individual errors played a huge role in deciding the respective outcomes.
Though Pirates boss Jose Riveiro and his counterpart Hunt haven’t had a lot of time to work on the tactics for Tuesday’s match, they would have placed emphasis on minimising errors.
The Buccaneers will be out to maintain their perfect start to the Premiership campaign, where they have managed to grind out three victories from as many outings.
Pirates are joint log leaders with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on nine points and a win or draw will see them take the lead, at least for 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Matsatsantsa a Pitori haven’t had a great start to the season, with just four points from a possible 12.
SuperSport have suffered two defeats and are in position 13 on the log table, and four points from the relegation zone.
Hunt will have to do without Gape Moralo (pictured below) who was sent off against Amakhosi.
How to watch
The game will be televised on Pay-TV platform SuperSport, on the PSL channel 202 and can also be streamed on Showmax. The match will include a build-up with expert analysis from pundits from 19:00.
Those without subscriptions can listen to the commentary on different SABC radio stations.
Betting odds
Despite the shocking defeat to Magesi, Riveiro’s Pirates remain favourites to conquer SuperSport at Orlando Stadium.
This game promises to have a few goals, so punters can also place bets on other options such as both teams to score at 13/10 and over 2.5 goals at 14/10.
Head to Hollywoodbets to place your bet.
13/20 Pirates | Draw 2/1 | SuperSport 46/10
☠️ NEXT MATCH ☠️
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 21, 2024
🆚 @SuperSportFC
🗓️ 22 October 2024
⏰ 19:30
🏟️ Orlando Stadium
🎟️ @TicketProSA
📺 @SuperSportTV
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/xsdh2WnZaY
Orlando Stadium
The venue is at the heart of the popular Soweto township in Johannesburg and is entrenched in the history of South African football.
The Buccaneers have enjoyed great support at the venue, which has a capacity of 37,000, recently with supporters coming out in number to rally behind the Soweto giants.
SuperSport will be outnumbered in the stands.
The world-class facility has not only hosted football matches after the Super Rugby final between the Bulls and Stormers was staged there in 2010.
Last meeting
The two sides have already met this season during the MTN8 quarterfinal clash at Orlando Stadium in August.
The Sea Robbers claimed a 3-1 victory in a highly contested clash that went to extra-time.
Olisah Nda, Monnapule Saleng and Evidence Makgopa scored for Pirates while Vincent Pule scored on his debut for Hunt’s men.
Head-to-head
3 August 2024 – Orlando Pirates 3-1 SuperSport United
25 May 2024 – Orlando Pirates 1-1 SuperSport United
23 December 2023 – SuperSport United 3-1 Orlando Pirates
18 March 2023 – Orlando Pirates 1-0 SuperSport United
21 August 2022 – SuperSport United 0-0 Orlando Pirates
Players to watch
Teenager Mohau Nkota (pictured above) was one of the standout performers for Pirates off the bench against Magesi. The 19-year-old right winger came on for Monnapule Saleng at the start of the second half.
It will be interesting to see if Riveiro will give the youngster another shot against SuperSport.
Relebohile Mofokeng was also splendid while Evidence Makgopa gave a solid performance off the bench.
Patrick Maswanganyi also played off the bench and made a difference.
For SuperSport, Pule put in a solid shift the last time he came up against his former employers and they will need to keep a closer eye on him on Tuesday.
Forward Tashreeq Morris (pictured below) gave a good performance on his debut against Chiefs and was denied by woodwork from scoring his first goal for SuperSport. He will be keen to get off the mark.
🚨NEXT MATCH🚨
— SuperSport United FC (@SuperSportFC) October 21, 2024
Back at it for some league action. The Buccaneers are up next for Matsatsantsa 🔵👊
🆚 @orlandopirates
🗓 Tue, 22 October 2024
🏟 Orlando Stadium
🕕 19H30
📺 SS PSL 202#MatsatsantsaUnified pic.twitter.com/DQdu2rUSea
