Orlando Pirates will look to continue their impressive start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season when they travel to Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace to face Marumo Gallants on Sunday, 20 September.
The Buccaneers head into the clash in strong form after securing their fourth consecutive league victory, beating Durban City 2-0 at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday night.
The result took Orlando Pirates to 16 points from six matches, leaving them just four points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns having played two fewer matches.
Orlando Pirates have also emerged as the league’s leading scorers, with 13 goals in their opening six matches.
Orlando Pirates chasing the summit
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side have been particularly dangerous away from home, scoring eight of their 13 league goals on the road.
After a 1-1 draw against AmaZulu, Orlando Pirates responded with emphatic away victories over Chippa United and Kruger United, winning 3-0 and 4-0, respectively.
They will now attempt to maintain that momentum against a Marumo Gallants side still searching for their first league victory of the season.
Ouaddou was pleased with the way his players handled the challenge against Durban City.
“The players played the football we want, playing forward, between the lines, we found the third-man running between the spaces, and we scored in the set-pieces,” he said.
“The second half was really perfect and credit has to be given to the boys.”
Marumo Gallants desperate for turnaround
Marumo Gallants have endured a difficult start to the 2026/27 campaign and currently sit bottom of the Betway Premiership table.
They are one of four teams yet to record a league victory after six matches, with their only two points coming from home draws against Kruger United and Polokwane City.
The club’s recent relocation to the North West has been accompanied by a change in the technical area, with former Namibia international goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo set to take charge for the first time against Orlando Pirates.
Sundra Govinder believes Marumo Gallants are ready for the challenge.
“Mentally our players are ready, physically, we are prepared and tactically obviously we have to be on point,” he said.
“The players are ready and excited about this match.”
Orlando Pirates hold the upper hand
Orlando Pirates won the last league meeting between the sides 3-0, with Yanela Mbuthuma, Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng getting on the scoresheet.
The Buccaneers have won five of their last eight meetings with Marumo Gallants, losing twice, while the only draw during that period came in their first-ever meeting in August 2021.
Orlando Pirates have, however, struggled to dominate this fixture away from home.
They have won only once in their four previous away meetings with Marumo Gallants, alongside two defeats and a draw.
The Buccaneers will therefore be looking to end that run while keeping the pressure on Sundowns at the top of the table.
Match details
Marumo Gallants vs Orlando Pirates
Venue: Royal Bafokeng
Kick-off: 15:00
TV: SuperSport PSL
Tickets are available online through Computicket and at selected outlets nationwide.
Prediction
Marumo Gallants 0-2 Orlando Pirates
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