After a weekend of cup matches and the longest layoff since the start of the new season, league football returns at the beginning of the new month.
Guide to Form
After winning at home against Marumo Gallants in their most recent league game, the Buccaneers will enter this round of games hoping to maintain their lead in the rankings.
As one of three teams with three victories thus far in the current season, they were able to gain a point over their nearest rival with that victory.
In order to get to the semifinals, Pirates had to overcome Royal AM in the MTN 8 on their last visit to the coastal province. Since then, Pirates have won four of their seven matches across all competitions, drawn twice, and lost one.
In their six games this season, their next opponents have had a mixed record, winning only once while losing twice and drawing three times.
The Team of Choice recently suffered a league loss on the road, but they will be motivated by their most recent home performance, a comeback triumph against Chippa United.
Group News
After a rigorous start to the season, the walking wounded at Pirates have had a week between games to rest up. Kabelo Dlamini and Tapelo Xoki are both back at training after a short absence.
Thembinkosi Lorch and Deon Hotto, who have recently suffered injuries, are questionable starts. Meanwhile, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Evidence Makgopa, two strikers who are still recovering from injuries, will have to wait until later in the season to see action.
A few Maritzburg players are yet to make an appearance this year. Midfielders Travis Graham and Zukile Kewuti are two such players who will be vying for their first starts under head coach John Maduka.
Key Figures
Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates): This season, a significant portion of Orlando Pirates’ offensive play has entailed extending the defence of the opposition on the right wing. His next opponents will pay close attention to the player once again. When he last played, Monyane scored his first goal as a senior, and he will enter Harry Gwala Stadium full of self-assurance.
Friday Maritzburg United’s Samu The Zambian international will be eager to add to the goal he scored against Chippa United late last month.
Despite having little chances in the previous campaign, the center-forward still managed to show off his goal-scoring talent in what was his maiden season in the South African top-flight.
Samu scored when he last played the Buccaneers, and he will be confident about his prospects of doing so again at home.
Head-to-Head
The Buccaneers will enter the game hoping to maintain their undefeated streak against the Team of Choice, having not lost to them in their previous 11 league games.
The KZN team last defeated the Soweto Giants in 2016, and since then, they have suffered seven defeats, with the two teams splitting the victories four times.
Unsurprisingly, it will be the visitors who will enter Sunday’s game with fond memories. They defeated the home team 4-1 the previous time they faced off against them, with goals from Thembinkosi Lorch, Kwame Peprah, Deon Hotto, and Kabelo Dlamini.
How to Watch Maritzburg United versus Orlando Pirates
The match begins at 17:30 and will be live-streamed on SuperSport PSL (Channel 202). All of the Orlando Pirates’ social media sites will provide live updates.