New record beckons for Pirates

Victory for Orlando Pirates over Marumo Gallants in Saturday’s Betway Premiership clash in Soweto would see the Buccaneers set a new record.

It would be an 11th home victory in a row for Pirates, who earlier this equaled the previous record of the Premier Soccer League era which was held jointly by Santos, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates made it 10 home wins in a row in all competitions when they beat bottom placed Magesi 2-0 on January 31.

Pirates’ run began when they beat Stellenbosch 1-0 in a league encounter on August 20 and they have since won at home against Orbit College (1-0), Lioli of Lesotho (4-0, African Champions League), TS Galaxy (2-0), Siwelele (1-0, Carling Knockout), Polokwane City (1-0), St Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo (3-0, African Champions League), Magesi (2-1, Carling Knockout), Chippa United (2-0) and Magesi 2-0,

The last home game that Pirates did not win was the MTN8 semifinal, second leg against Sundowns on August 16 that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Santos’ run spanned the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, while Chiefs were unbeaten at home between October 2013 and April 2014.

Sundowns matched the mark twice, with the first run of 10 unbeaten home games coming to an end in October 2016 and the next one in April 2023.