Orlando Pirates training ahead of their match against Maritzburg United on Friday, 17 February 2023. Image: Club website
Orlando Pirates ready to take their chance
Orlando Pirates can move within one point of second place if they beat Maritzburg United at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
Orlando Pirates training ahead of their match against Maritzburg United on Friday, 17 February 2023. Image: Club website
Orlando Pirates can move within one point of second place if they beat Maritzburg United on Friday night.
The Bucs welcome back former boss Fadlu Davids and his Team of Choice for what promises to be an exciting clash. Orlando Stadium will be full of fans wishing their team forward.
Kick-off is at 7:30 pm.
Orlando Pirates to take their gap?
A win certainly has its upside. Pirates sit fourth level with rivals Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the weekend. But they are just four points behind SuperSport United, who are second on 32 points after 19 games.
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Pirates are on a roll at the moment. They have won four of their last five games and progressed into the next round of the Nedbank Cup.
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But coach Jose Riveiro will be watching from afar. He was sent off during the cup win leaving his side some work to do.
Coach working well at Pirates
“We have a new coach [Jose Riveiro, who will be suspended after a red card in their Nedbank Cup win over All Stars last weekend] and maybe he’s still instilling his own philosophy on the team and the club as a whole, but we are better now so it’s going really well and we’re building something really good,” said Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, according to SuperSport.
ALSO READ: Three Bucs players that Kaizer Chiefs fans would love to sign
Maritzburg boss out for revenge
Maritzburg coach Davids will have his side primed for an upset. He has started well in the dugout with three wins from seven games but the hard work isn’t done.
The away team are still thick in the relegation battle. They are in 15th place with no wins in their last two matches.
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“Every game the players are improving and taking forward steps. I’m proud of them.
“I know where we are getting better game by game and now we’ve got Orlando Pirates next … so called bigger games where we really will be tested.
“I know we can step up to be able to take on these teams, having a brave approach rather than playing not to lose,” says Davids.
PSL weekend fixtures
Friday 17 February
Orlando Pirates v Maritzburg United – 19:30
Saturday 18 February
Royal AM v SuperSport United – 15:30
Sekhukhune United v Richards Bay – 17:30
AmaZulu v TS Galaxy – 20:00
Sunday 19 February
Kaizer Chiefs v Golden Arrows – 15:30
Cape Town City v Swallows FC -17:30
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