Orlando Pirates are back on the road as they gear up for a Betway Premiership clash away to TS Galaxy on Tuesday. Mbombela Stadium hosts this particular clash which headlines the day’s top flight action.
It comes just as the Buccaneers look to consolidate their spot at the top of the standings with a showdown against a Galaxy outfit looking for an early escape from the threat of relegation.
Form Guide
The Rockets recently got off the mark under the points column in the new Premiership season after sharing the spoils with Marumo Gallants over the weekend. This was despite relinquishing their lead to a Thapelo Dhludhlu strike in the second period after Samukele Kabini had put them ahead earlier.
That was to be their first point at the fourth time of asking in league football following defeats in each of their three opening games, all played away from home. Now 15th in the standings, the Mpumalanga outfit has had some mixed results outside the Premiership, falling on the first hurdle in the MTN8 before advancing to the Last Eight of the Carling Knockout Cup earlier in the month.
Their most recent cup result, along with the stalemate earned in their last league outing makes it two games unbeaten ahead of their clash against the Soweto Giants.
Sead Ramovic’s men now meet a side occupying top spot in the league standings after claiming all available points in their five league fixtures. The Buccaneers were victorious at home to AmaZulu last Friday, bagging all six points on offer in the week after dispatching SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium in midweek.
Active in three different competitions during the early part of their campaign, Pirates’ biggest blemish in 14 games since the start of the season came via an early exit in the Carling Knockout, courtesy of the newly-promoted Magesi. Having gone two in two since their cup disappointment, they will be looking to make the most of their league commitments which take full precedence until after the upcoming international break.
Team News
Right back Deano van Rooyen is a fresh injury concern for Pirates after he had to withdraw early against Usuthu. The 27-year-old was replaced by Paseka Mako in the first half and his potential absence could mean an opportunity for the likes of Thabiso Monyane and Bandile Shandu.
Bosnian forward Dzenan Zamovic meanwhile remains unavailable for Galaxy after picking up a red-card, which led to a two-match suspension in their Carling Knockout victory over Chippa United. He is unavailable for selection along with teammate Victor Letsoalo who is also suspended for the fixture after he was cautioned twice in the cup clash against the Gqeberha outfit.
Key Players
Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates): Composed with the ball at his feet while possessing maturity that belies his age, the 20-year-old’s playmaking abilities continue to shine through. Mofokeng has already tallied up three goals and five assists across competitions this season and is fresh off yet another commanding performance in Bucs colours.
Samukelo Kabini (TS Galaxy): The Bucs Academy product was one of the standouts for the Rockets throughout the previous season and has carried his form into the new campaign. Equally adept at making an impact in the centre of the defence as well as out wide, Kabini has been a shining light for the Mpumalanga outfit and comes off a goal-scoring appearance over the weekend.
Head-to-Head
Pirates and Galaxy have met a total of eight times in the league, with the Buccaneers claiming a slight upper hand over the course of what is a relatively new rivalry. Their most recent trip to Mbombela saw them suffer a narrow defeat where they lost 1-0 through a second-half strike from Siphiwe Mahlangu.
Despite their defeat from a few months ago, the Soweto Giants have maintained a slight edge in the fixture with four victories and three defeats while one match ended in a draw.
They will be desperate to improve their away record however, having only won one of their four games in Mbombela. Their only victory came in the 2022/23 campaign where they found the net through Terrence Dzvukamanja and Deon Hotto, while Given Msimango scored the hosts’ only goal on the day.
TV Coverage and Ticket Info
Kick-off is at 19:30 and the game will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL. Orlando Pirates will provide live updates across the Club’s social media channels.
Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro and selected outlets nationwide.