Orlando Pirates vs Chippa United DStv Premiership. Image: BackpagePix

As it happened: Orlando Pirates 2-0 Chippa United

Orlando Pirates and Chippa United will meet in a DStv Premiership fixture at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, 8 May.

by Garrin Lambley

08-05-2024 21:36

in Premier Soccer League

Orlando Pirates vs Chippa United DStv Premiership. Image: BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates and Chippa United will meet in a DStv Premiership fixture at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, 8 May.

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Kick-off is at 19:30.

It’s the second of back-to-back clashes between the two sides who meet once more just days after engaging in a Nedbank Cup encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last weekend.

Starting line-ups

Orlando Pirates

TBA

Chippa United

TBA

Form guide

It’s a welcome homecoming for the Buccaneers who have played their three most recent games on the road, including Saturday’s Nedbank Cup semi-final against the Chilli Boys.

Their 3-1 win in Gqeberha ensured a spot in the final for the second year running while making it three away wins in as many games across competitions following successful visits to Royal AM and Cape Town City in the space of a week.

Orlando Pirates have now won each of their last six games across competitions and will be gunning for a fifth successive league victory when they host Chippa United.

Securing maximum points on Wednesday is essential for the Soweto giants who currently sit in third place in the standings, just outside the final available spot for CAF Champions League qualification with only four DStv Premiership games left to play.

However, that task promises to be tricky as they come up against a determined Chippa United outfit eager to turn their fortunes around after a string of poor results.

Their Nedbank Cup defeat to the Buccaneers was their third straight loss and was preceded by back-to-back defeats against AmaZulu and Moroka Swallows.

This has complicated their hunt for a top-eight finish, as they currently sit in 10th place with nine points earned in their last five games.

Having enjoyed a recent spell of good form, the men from the Eastern Cape will be eager to return to winning ways by stunning the Buccaneers in front of their home crowd.

Team news

Deon Hotto is a doubtful starter for the home side following his early exit from the semi-final clash, necessitated by a knock to the head. Innocent Maela was called upon as a replacement and is likely to slot in at left-back once more after putting on a solid shift on Saturday.

Further reinforcements in defence include centre-back Olisa Ndah, who has returned to full training following a month on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Chippa United have also been bolstered at the back as defender Roscoe Pietersen returns after completing his two-match suspension, while striker Bienvenu Eva Nga is unavailable for selection due to picking up a red card in the semi-final.

Key players

Kabelo Dlamini (Orlando Pirates): The in-form midfielder has been on the up recently, underlining his quality with a man of the match display on Saturday. With five goals and three assists across competitions this season, Dlamini will again be one of the key men on attack as Orlando Pirates search for back-to-back wins against Chippa United.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United): The 24-year-old has been a vital part of the Chilli Boys’ resurgence in the second half of the season, chipping in with some crucial goals in recent weeks. Primarily used in the centre of the midfield, Kwayiba has been as effective on the left wing where he has bagged three of the four goals he has scored in his last six starts.

Head-to-head

The Chilli Boys stunned the Buccaneers with a late goal from Abdi Banda on their last visit to Orlando Stadium back in August 2022 and will attempt to repeat the feat as they seek to avenge Saturday’s cup exit.

The victory was only their fourth in 21 league encounters against the Buccaneers, who have been by far the more dominant of the two sides with 14 wins since they first crossed paths a little over a decade ago.

Orlando Pirates will however look to buck a recent trend in the fixture, having not beaten Chippa United at home since the 2020/21 campaign when Fortune Makaringe struck late to ensure a narrow victory.

The Soweto giants’ three wins since then have all come on the road, while they have only managed a single point in the two games played at Orlando Stadium.