Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are set to ignite the atmosphere at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld Stadium this Saturday in a highly anticipated Betway Premiership clash.
Bragging rights and crucial league points are on the line as these two giants of South African football collide.
Sundowns currently sit atop the league table with a six-point lead, though Pirates have a game in hand.
The Brazilians enter the match on a high, having recently dispatched Golden Arrows and SuperSport United, scoring seven goals in the process.
Pirates also boast strong recent form, securing wins against Kaizer Chiefs and Sekhukhune United, netting three goals.
Sundowns’ creative spark, Lucas Ribeiro, will be a key player to watch. He was instrumental in their victories over Arrows and United, and Coach Miguel Cardoso will be counting on him, along with Teboho Mokoena, Marcello Allende, and Iqraam Rayners, to deliver another stellar performance.
Ribeiro played down the significance of his penalty against Pirates last season, emphasizing that he’s focused on the current campaign.
He expressed his excitement about playing in front of a packed stadium and acknowledged the challenges of maintaining peak performance amidst a demanding schedule.
Pirates’ assistant coach, Mandla Ncikazi, made it clear that their team is traveling to Loftus with one goal in mind: to secure three points. Despite a tight schedule, Ncikazi stressed the importance of proper preparation and analysis. He emphasized that the team will stick to their game plan and aim to perform at their best.
