Orlando Pirates host SuperSport United in a crucial PSL fixture on Saturday afternoon at the Ellis Park stadium.
Orlando Pirates head into this afternoon’s PSL clash desperate for the victory having failed to win in their last six games while SuperSport United have won four out if their last five fixtures.
SuperSport United currently sit in third position on the PSL log standings, four points ahead of fifth placed Orlando Pirates with three games to go.
Orlando Pirates vs SuperSport United: Previous PSL meetings
SuperSport United have inflicted great misery on Orlando Pirates during recent years. Matsatsantsa walked away with 18 previous PSL victories while the Buccaneers have earned 12. The remaining eight games have ended in a draw.
This afternoon’s PSL meeting will be the first between Orlando Pirates’ German mentor Josef Zinnbauer and SuperSport United’s Zimbabwean manager Kaitano Tembo.
Orlando Pirates vs SuperSport United: PSL team news
Orlando Pirates are set to be without Bongani Sam due to a hamstring injury while it remains to be seen whether Justin Shonga will return to the Orlando Pirates squad after it was revealed that his suspension has been lifted. The club however are yet to confirm if he’ll play any part in the remainder of the PSL campaign.
SuperSport United will look to Bradley Grobler for the goals. Grobler has scored nine PSL goals against Orlando Pirates in previous meetings. Thamsanqa Gabuza will also be looking to inflict some pain on his previous employers should he be given the chance to.
We’ve had adequate preparation this time around – Zinnbauer
Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer is hoping his team, which enjoyed six days of rest, will put on a fighting performance against SuperSport United in their PSL clash.
“This is not so easy, now comes the first week where we have a little more space between games and we can go a little more to the field for training.” Zinnbauer told SuperSport.
“We can work with the team about the final third challenges, that is the point where we have to work more and more in the future, starting this week and after this week, even in the next pre-season that’s coming up.
“But it’s not so easy to work with the team in the PSL bubble, it’s not an excuse but it’s so. The recovery days are important for the players and then you have to be careful with the work, the muscles are not easy when you have tough sessions.”
We’re preparing for next season – Tembo
SuperSport United head coach Kaitano Tembo has poured cold water over Matsatsantsa’s PSL title aspirations claiming the team is focused on next season despite their strong league position.
“For us at the moment is to try to take it one game at a time and that’s very important. We don’t want to really look way ahead of ourselves and I am focusing more on our performance and building for next season.” Kaitano Tembo said.
“We are not going to have enough time during the off-season to prepare‚ so this is part of our preparation for next season. We are taking it one game at a time and also try to finish better than last season.
“Where we are at the moment also makes me look back and say we have dropped PSL points where we were not supposed to have done so.”
Orlando Pirates vs SuperSport United: PSL kick-off time, where to watch
Action at the Ellis Park stadium gets underway at 13:30. The PSL match will be televised live on SuperSport 4. You can also live-stream the game on DSTV Now (Subscription required).
