Magesi to spring surprise against glory-hunting Pirates?

Relegation-threatened Magesi FC will hope to dent Orlando Pirates' Betway Premiership title bid when they meet at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 8pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

Dikwena Tsa Meetse struggled for consistency throughout the season and their two-match unbeaten run recently ended when they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Orbit College on Tuesday.

Magesi currently sit in 16th position in the Betway Premiership standings - three points behind 13th-placed Chippa United.

A positive result against Pirates would be a massive boost in their battle to avoid relegation.

Pirates, on the other hand, stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches after securing a 2-0 away win over Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday and it was their second win in their last four matches.

The Buccaneers sit second in the Betway Premiership standings, three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

However, the Buccaneers have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

TEAM NEWS

Magesi will be without the suspended Motsie Matima, who picked up his fourth yellow card of the season in the match against Orbit College — the same game in which he scored Dikwena Tsa Meetse’s consolation goal.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, have no suspension concerns, but are likely to be without Tshepang Moremi, Kabelo Dlamini, Tapelo Xoki and Sihle Nduli, who remain sidelined with injuries and are currently rehabilitating.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou

“This season we’ve tried to bring more competitiveness. I think the boys really did well," Ouaddou said.

"Let's see what the result will be at the end of this season. But the most important thing is to be competitive until the end. So for us, the dream is still here.

"The players are going to fight, and it's possible, like I said at the beginning of the season, to fight until the last game and maybe the people will know the champion only after the last game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mcedi Vandala, Magesi FC: The diminutive attacker has been Dikwena Tsa Meetse’s standout performer this season, earning multiple Man of the Match awards. With four goals and four assists to his name, Vandala remains a major threat to Betway Premiership title contenders.

Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando Pirates: The Bafana Bafana international has been one of the best players in the country this season. He reached 20 goal contributions (11 goals, nine assists) after his performance against Stellenbosch. His creativity and finishing ability could prove decisive as Bucs look to secure a win in Polokwane.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2024/25 Magesi 0-1 Pirates Mofokeng

2024/25 Pirates 1-1 Magesi Maswanganyi; Chirambadare

2025/26 Pirates 2-0 Magesi Mbuthuma, Mofokeng

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2024/25)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Magesi 1 0 0 1 0 1

Pirates 2 1 1 0 3 1

Away

P W D L GF GA

Magesi 2 0 1 1 1 3

Pirates 1 1 0 0 1 0

Total

P W D L GF GA

Magesi 3 0 1 2 1 4

Pirates 3 2 1 0 4 1