PREVIEW: Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns – Wednesday, 20 September

Orlando Pirates are back at Orlando Stadium for a mammoth midweek clash, hosting Mamelodi Sundowns in their next DStv Premiership fixture on Wednesday, 20 September.

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It’s a return to domestic action for the two rivals who have just landed on South African soil after their respective CAF Champions League assignments over the past weekend.

Form guide 

The Buccaneers suffered defeat in their continental outing, losing 1-0 away to Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie.

The result ended their seven-match unbeaten streak across competitions and was only their second defeat in the current campaign.

Three league points will be high on the agenda on Wednesday with the Soweto giants on a mission to climb up from seventh place in the league standings after clinching seven points from their four games.

Orlando Pirates boast a perfect record at Orlando Stadium this season, winning four in four (in all competitions) with six points earned in their two home league fixtures played thus far.

The iconic venue could present the sternest challenge yet for the visiting Tshwane giants, who have raced to the top of the standings after collecting maximum points on offer in their six league outings.

Mamelodi Sundowns tasted success in their continental travels, beating Burundian outfit Bumamuru 4-0 to enhance their chances of qualifying for the Champions League group stage.

They head to Soweto aiming to hand the Buccaneers their first home league defeat since February.

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Team news 

The hosts will be without midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, who is ruled out of the clash through suspension after accumulating four yellow cards in domestic competition this season.

Meanwhile, Olisa Ndah and Karim Kimvuidi are inching closer to their first involvement this season after appearing as unused subs on Sunday, while midfielder Vincent Pule has resumed full training after missing the early part of the season through injury.

For the visitors, first-team regulars such as Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Neo Maema could miss out on Wednesday’s encounter following injuries picked up in recent weeks.

Mamelodi Sundowns also have a player serving a ban as Lebogang Maboe completes his two-match suspension after picking up a red card in last month’s league encounter against Polokwane City.

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Key players 

Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates): The midfielder has quickly adapted to life at the Buccaneers after joining the club in the off-season, turning in one impressive performance after the other. Maswanganyi has been one of Orlando Pirates’ main creative sparks this season, contributing six assists in just seven appearances across competitions.

Lucas Ribeiro (Mamelodi Sundowns): The Brazilian forward is in the midst of an impressive debut season, having already registered six goals in the early part of the campaign. Ribeiro is fresh off a brace scored on Friday and will want to make an impact in one of the most highly-anticipated fixtures on the South African football calendar.

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Head-to-head

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns were engaged in four memorable encounters last season, with the Tshwane outfit grabbing a 1-0 victory in each of their two league clashes while the Buccaneers walked away with a convincing 3-0 win in the away leg of their MTN8 semi-final after a goalless draw at Orlando Stadium.

The hosts will resume their search for a first league victory in this fixture since winning at home in January 2020 when a first-half goal from Gabadinho Mhango was enough to separate the two sides.

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How to watch Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns 

The game is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL.

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