The Buccaneers have recorded just one win in their last five games and in doing so, newspaper leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have widened the gap.
Orlando Pirates are said to be eager to bring their seemingly declining Premier Soccer League (PSL) fortunes to life when they travel to Venda for Wednesday’s clash against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
Having started 2021 on the back foot losing to Mamelodi Sundowns and drawing 1-1 with Swallows FC, the Pirates are at risk of losing track of the newspaper’s leaders.
They are now trailing Downs by 10 points, a situation that makes them desperate for a win, despite having played one game less than Masandawana.
The equally struggling trip to TTM offers an opportunity to get back on track and cover some ground in their pursuit of leaders.
Currently in sixth place, victory would see the Pirates climb two ranks in the standings to place fourth.
But that could be a tricky task given that their hosts are also eager to correct their difficult course.
What makes things trickier for Josef Zinnabauer’s Pirates is that they can be unpredictable after being held by AmaZulu and Baroka in two of the five matches where they split the loot.
| Game | Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila vs. Orlando Pirates |
| Dated | Wednesday January 13 |
| Time | 17:00 SA time |
TV channel, live score and how to watch
| Online Streaming | TV channel |
|---|---|
| DStv.com/DStv Now app | SuperSport PSL 202 chain |
Squads & Team News
Tshakhuma’s attempt to improve their fortunes was hit hard after striker Justin Shonga left.
The Zambia international ended his three-month stay at Limpopo by joining Cape Town on Tuesday.
Tshakhuma coach Joel Masutha will need to find an immediate solution within the group of players he is working with ahead of the Pirates’ visit.
That leaves more weight for the goals falling on the shoulders of Rhulani Manzini, who is the club’s top scorer with two goals.
Some Tshakhuma players, like striker Lerato Lamola, as well as midfielders Thabo Rakhale, Mogakolodi Ngele, Thabo Mnyamane and Edgar Manaka, will need to provide the experience essential to match the Buccaneers if they are selected to play.
Alfred Ndengane will face his former payers after being freed by Pirates at the end of last season.
The Pirates will be without co-captain Thulani Hlatshwayo who is suspended for this game after accumulating his fourth yellow card of the season in the draw against Swallows last weekend.
His compatriot Happy Jele is expected to step in at the heart of the defense.
As Hlatshwayo came out, the Buccaneers received a major boost after goalkeeper Richard Ofori returned to top form.
Ghana’s number one has missed the Soweto Giants’ last two league games and a Caf Confederation assignment due to injury.
In his absence, Wayne Sandilands kept the goal but was raped in their last two games in which they failed to win.
Zinnabauer also welcomes returning forward Vincent Pule, who missed the Swallows’ welcome due to suspension.
Last week, Pirates confirmed that forwards Zakhele Lepasa and Tshegofatso Mabasa, as well as defender Abel Mabaso, are not yet close to recovering from injury.
But Zinnabauer may not be too worried as he has Frank Mhango to play ahead of Jean-Marc Makusu.
The two are still partial players so far this season and have yet to start together, but a strong combination is expected between them.
In the last two league games, Zinnbauer started Terrence Dzvukamanja as a central striker, but after this move did not yield positive results, the German could be forced to change.
Match preview
A loss for the Pirates will see them challenge themselves to catch up with the Sundowns.
They would be eager to avoid dropping points, especially since they are a lame side who have only won once in their last five matches.
A loss or even a draw would invite more pressure on the Buccaneers who have won three league games, drawn five and lost only once so far this season.
It would be the first time for them to play Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, who is in his first PSL season after purchasing top-flight league status from Bidvest Wits.
Tshakhuma is currently in the newspaper’s 11th position and hasn’t tasted victory in their last five league games, where they have recorded four draws and one loss.
Overall, they have had six draws, a record they share with Golden Arrows in the league so far this season.
Venda’s team have won only once in nine games and lost twice.
