DStv Premiership Preview: Maritzburg United
3 September, 2022
Orlando Pirates make another trip to KwaZulu-Natal this coming weekend as they prepare to face Maritzburg United in a DStv Premiership fixture at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday.
The start of the new month also marks the return of league football after a weekend of cup games, which was followed by the lengthiest break in action since the new season began.
Form Guide
The Buccaneers will go into this round of fixtures looking to consolidate their spot at the top of the standings after clinching a home victory against Marumo Gallants in their most recent league outing.
With that victory, they managed to pull a point clear of their closest competition, as one of three teams that have claimed three wins so far in the current campaign.
Pirates have kept the winning momentum going, beating Royal AM in the MTN 8 on their last visit to the coastal province to progress to the semifinals, and have won four of their seven fixtures in all competitions, drawing twice and suffering one defeat.
For their next opponents, it has been a season of mixed fortunes so far, with just one win in their six games where they have lost twice and drawn three times.
The Team of Choice is fresh off an away league defeat, but will be spurred on by their last home result - a come-from-behind victory against Chippa United.
Team News
The week-long break between fixtures has allowed the walking wounded at Pirates some time to recover following a grueling start to the season, with Kabelo Dlamini and Tapelo Xoki both at training after being briefly sidelined.
However, there are doubtful starters in the form of Thembinkosi Lorch and Deon Hotto, who both recently picked up knocks, while forwards Terrence Dzvukamanja and Evidence Makgopa will have to wait a while longer before getting a run this season, as they both continue to recover from injury.
Maritzburg also have a few players yet to feature this season, with midfield pair Travis Graham and Zukile Kewuti among those who will be eyeing a first start under coach John Maduka.
Key Players
Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates): A large part of Orlando Pirates’ attacking play this season has involved the Academy graduate stretching the opposition’s defence on the right flank, and the player will again command some attention from his next opponents. Monyane netted his first senior goal when he last took to the field, and will arrive at Harry Gwala Stadium beaming with confidence.
Friday Samu (Maritzburg United): Limited opportunities in the previous campaign did not stop the Zambian international showcasing his goal-scoring prowess in what was his debut season in the South African top-flight, and the centre-forward will be keen to add to the goal scored against Chippa United late last month. Samu got on the scoresheet the last time he faced the Buccaneers, and will fancy his chances of repeating the feat on home soil.
Head-to-Head
The Buccaneers will go into the clash looking to keep their proud record over the Team of Choice, having not lost against them in their last 11 league outings.
The KZN outfit last registered a win over the Soweto Giants in 2016, and have gone on to lose seven times since, with the two sides sharing the spoils four times.
Unsurprisingly, it will be the visitors who will go into Sunday’s fixture with pleasant memories, having won 4-1 the last time they locked horns with the home side, with Thembinkosi Lorch, Kwame Peprah, Deon Hotto and Kabelo Dlamini all getting on the scoresheet.
How to Watch Orlando Pirates vs Maritzburg United
The game kicks off at 17:30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL (Channel 202). Live updates will be available across Orlando Pirates social media platforms.
