Lucas Moripe Stadium is the scene of one of the more eagerly-anticipated clashes in the penultimate round of PSL fixtures this season, as Maritzburg United host Orlando Pirates.
Stationed at sixth and fifth respectively in the league standings, both sides are aiming to sneak into the top four – a feat that would afford them participation in continental football next season.
PSL team news
Looking to cause what he feels would be an upset is former Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler, who is now at the helm at the KwaZulu-Natal based outfit.
After a relegation scare last season, the Bafana legend has guided the Team of Choice to a respectable position in the log, with participation in next season’s MTN 8 now secured.
“We’ve now cemented our place in the top eight, which is a fantastic achievement by the boys, I’m extremely proud of the team,” Tinkler said ahead of the match.
“Having ensured we finished in the top eight, it’s been a long and tough season and we would like to finish strong. Everybody is raring to go and hopefully, we can cause an upset against Orlando Pirates.”
Eric Tinkler, Maritzburg United coach
Maritzburg United vs Orlando Pirates: Past PSL meetings
After things ended goalless in the reverse fixture, you can almost rest assured that both teams will strive for a result this time around, given what’s currently at stake.
The last time Pirates took on Maritzburg as visitors, they achieved the rare feat of coming away with maximum points at Harry Gwala Stadium with Vincent Pule, who was on the scoresheet over the weekend, netting the only goal of the encounter.
The Team of Choice last came out top against the Soweto giants in 2016, with the latter claiming three wins in the six fixtures played since.
In the past decade, Pirates have clinched nine victories to Maritzburg’s five, with six matches ending with nothing to separate the two sides.
| 05/11/19, 18:30 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0) | 9. Gameday |
| 24/04/19, 19:30 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 0 : 1 (0 : 0) (0 : 1) | 27. Gameday |
| 01/12/18, 19:15 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0) | 13. Gameday |
| 03/02/18, 19:15 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 2 : 1 (1 : 0) (1 : 1) | 20. Gameday |
| 15/09/17, 20:00 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0) | 4. Gameday |
| 11/04/17, 19:30 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 2 : 0 (1 : 0) (1 : 0) | 23. Gameday |
| 13/12/16, 18:30 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 2 : 1 (0 : 0) (2 : 1) | 13. Gameday |
| 07/05/16, 20:15 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0) | 28. Gameday |
| 16/01/16, 19:15 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 3 : 3 (3 : 1) (0 : 2) | 14. Gameday |
| 06/05/15, 19:30 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 1 : 1 (1 : 0) (0 : 1) | 29. Gameday |
| 02/12/14, 18:30 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 1 : 2 (1 : 2) (0 : 0) | 14. Gameday |
| 15/04/14, 19:30 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) | 27. Gameday |
| 27/11/13, 18:30 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 0 : 1 (0 : 1) (0 : 0) | 12. Gameday |
| 18/05/13, 15:00 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 2 : 3 (1 : 0) (1 : 3) | 30. Gameday |
| 14/12/12, 19:00 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 1 : 2 (0 : 1) (1 : 1) | 15. Gameday |
| 26/02/12, 14:30 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) | 18. Gameday |
| 24/08/11, 20:00 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 2 : 1 (0 : 1) (2 : 0) | 3. Gameday |
| 02/03/11, 19:00 | Pirates – Maritzburg | 3 : 1 (1 : 0) (2 : 1) | 24. Gameday |
| 26/11/10, 19:00 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 1 : 2 (0 : 1) (1 : 1) | 9. Gameday |
| 17/02/10, 18:30 | Maritzburg – Pirates | 2 : 1 (2 : 0) (0 : 1) | 28. Gameday |
Maritzburg United vs Orlando Pirates: KICK-OFF TIME AND WHERE TO WATCH
The fixture kicks off at 18:00 (SAST) and will be broadcast live on SABC 3 and Supersport 4 (Subscription required).
