Orlando Pirates Reserves gear up for another Soweto Derby in the DStv Diski Challenge as they host Swallows at Rand Stadium on Sunday morning.
On the backend of the tightest title race for silverware in the Reserve League in recent memory, Joseph Makhanya’s troops remain within a realistic shot of their maiden DDC title with just four fixtures remaining in the season.
Form Guide
They salvaged a point on the road in their last outing when they played to a goalless draw against Marumo Gallants and are currently third on the standings, two points behind the table-topping SuperSport United.
The result ended a three-game winning streak, taking their points tally in their last five matches to 11, and was the first time they failed to score in their last six fixtures.
Despite misfiring in the past weekend, the Buccaneers are among the highest-scoring teams in the ongoing campaign, with the best defensive record in the league.
Their next opponent has struggled on the defensive front throughout the season, letting in 48 goals so far with five of them coming in the 5-0 drubbing suffered at the hands of Golden Arrows last Saturday.
Swallows boast a single victory in their last five games, and have fallen on the losing side four times during this period, with their defences breached an astonishing 16 times.
This has placed them in 15th place in the standings, but they will no doubt look to turn the tide against their Soweto rivals in a bid to finish the season in a more respectable position.
Head-to-Head
The two old foes have met a total of four times in the Diski Challenge, with their first ever encounter taking place in the shortened 2021 season.
It was the young Birds who triumphed on that occasion in a thrilling encounter that finished with a 3-2 scoreline.
It’s however been one-way traffic since then, with the Bucs Reserves winning the next three derbies, netting an impressive nine goals in the process while only letting in one.
They will be vying for a league double over their rivals, having beaten them 2-0 in the reverse fixture after Kgwadi Molepo and Mehluleli Maphumulo each found the net.
How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves vs Swallows Reserves
The game kicks off at 10:00 and will not be televised. You can follow the action by keeping an eye on live updates posted across Orlando Pirates social media platforms, as well as the Club’s official app.
Entry at the match venue is free.