Ninety minutes stand between victory and heartbreak at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, where Orlando Pirates and Orbit FC will battle for three crucial Betway Premiership points on Saturday, May 23.
The highly anticipated clash is more than just another league fixture, as both sides have everything to play for heading into the final round of the season.
Victory for Pirates could see the Soweto giants crowned Betway Premiership champions ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who currently sit at the top of the table with 68 points.
The Buccaneers, affectionately known as the Sea Robbers, are second on the log with 66 points. They could have wrapped up the title race a week ago, but their ambitions suffered a setback after a frustrating goalless draw against Durban City at Orlando Stadium.
Orbit, who are based in Rustenburg in the North West Province and gained promotion to the elite division last season, head into the decisive fixture occupying 15th position on the table with 24 points and a goal difference of minus 20.
Their survival hangs by a thread, as anything less than victory against Pirates could condemn them to relegation back to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Fans and community members in the North West have since blamed the provincial government for failing the club, as Orbit have been forced to play their home matches outside the province due to the lack of a PSL-compliant venue.
This is despite the North West once boasting some of the country’s finest football facilities, including Mmabatho Stadium, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Olympia Park Stadium and Moruleng Stadium — venues that were once regarded among the best in South African football before falling into decline.
Fellow relegation candidates Magesi FC are rooted at the bottom of the table in 16th place with 21 points and a goal difference of minus 17. Should Magesi win their final match while Orbit lose to Pirates, the North West outfit will officially be relegated.
For Pirates, under the mentorship of Abdeslam Ouaddou, the encounter presents an opportunity to move closer to reclaiming the Premiership crown for the first time in over a decade, setting up what promises to be a dramatic end to the season.
Key players such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Aswin Appollis and Patrick Maswanganyi will once again carry Pirates’ hopes in front of goal.
The trio have collectively scored 27 of the club’s 56 league goals this season, with Mofokeng leading the charts on 10 goals, while Appollis and Maswanganyi have contributed nine and eight respectively.