Orlando Pirates Reserves will be in action for the first time in 2025 when they resume their DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) campaign with a massive fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns. The two Gauteng rivals clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium, with the game getting underway on Sunday morning.
After a lengthy festive season break, it’s now back to the serious business of competitive football. The action resumes with the young Buccaneers in search of some consistency while their opponents look to strengthen their standing among the early-season title contenders.
Form Guide
Twelve matches into the campaign, the Bucs Reserves find themselves some distance away from the pacesetters, sitting in eighth place. This is after stuttering along throughout the season, collecting a disappointing 19 points out of a possible 36 with only five wins in the bag.
Their last outing before the break produced yet another unsatisfactory result as they came second best in the Soweto Derby clash against rivals Kaizer Chiefs. That particular outcome made it two games without a win, also restricting them to just seven points in their last five fixtures.
Having recharged during the hiatus, the Soweto Giants now look to begin their ascent up the table with the Brazilians first up in the new year.
It’s no easy assignment with the Tshwane outfit among the in-form teams in the Reserve League after finishing the previous year in second place in the standings, going unbeaten in their last nine games. They now find themselves lower down in fourth place ahead of their showdown with the Buccaneers, courtesy of the weekend’s earlier results.
That is nonetheless only a slight setback as they could finish the weekend right at the summit should they claim maximum points against a Bucs side also determined to clinch a victory that could push them a spot up the standings.
Head-to-Head
Last season saw the two sides pick up a win apiece in their two league fixtures, and it was the Buccaneers who drew first blood. A brace from Mohau Nkota, along with goals from Lulama Nxumalo and Mpumelelo Ndaba gave them a 4-1 win at home, but they could not replicate that performance on the road as the Brazilians claimed a dramatic 1-0 victory.
All of the last eight clashes between the two rivals have produced a winner, with the home side emerging victorious in each of the last four. Sundowns were the last to win away from home – albeit in the Diski Shield back in July 2022 – while Pirates still boast the last away win in the DDC.
Overall, the Tshwane outfit has edged things in terms of head-to-head results, winning five times during this period, with their Soweto counterparts currently sitting on three wins.
How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves vs Mamelodi Sundowns Reserves
The match kicks off at 10:00 and will not be televised. Live updates will be posted across Orlando Pirates social media channels.
Entry at the match venue is free.
