It’s the Bucs Reserves’ first home fixture of the new year and an opportunity to trigger a run of consistent results as the season approaches its halfway mark. They are presented with a tricky challenge in the form of a side with a similar agenda after a tough start to the campaign.

Form Guide

Pirates kicked the year off with another disappointing result, going down 2-1 away to Mamelodi Sundowns. This made it three games without a win, having also lost to Kaizer Chiefs in a game that was preceded by a stalemate against Richards Bay.

The point earned against the Natal Rich Boyz was the Buccaneers’ fourth in their last five fixtures, with the rest coming courtesy of an away victory over defending champions Stellenbosch. It’s a turn of form that has placed them in eighth position in the standings, 11 points behind the log leaders.

Returning to the Vaal after two tough away fixtures could be just the spark needed by the Soweto Giants, who have fared slightly better at home throughout the season. They have recorded a single home defeat since kicking off their campaign but have mainly struggled to get over the line, securing just two wins while drawing their other three games.

Their next opponents are a side that has had bigger struggles on the road, last earning an away point in September last year. Polokwane come into the fixture on the back of five straight defeats as the visiting team and are 12th in the standings.

They began the new year with a goalless stalemate at home to Chippa United, ending a losing streak that had stretched to three matches. Like Pirates, they have earned just four points in their five most recent outings but could fancy their chances of bagging their first win since early November.

Head-to-Head

The visitors will take some confidence into Saturday’s match, following their success when they last encountered the young Buccaneers. This is after taking full advantage of their numerical advantage to net an injury time winner after Jabulani Mokone was sent off midway through the second half.

The reverse fixture had gone the way of the Soweto Giants, who had cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win at Rand Stadium with Ciniso Mazibuko, Mehluleli Maphumulo, and Mpumelelo Ndaba all finding the net.

Despite trading equal blows last season, it is the hosts who maintain a positive record in the fixture with four wins in the last five encounters. They also lead comfortably in the goal-scoring stakes, having scored 10 goals while only conceding twice during this period.

How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves vs Polokwane City Reserves

The game is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 and will not be televised. Live updates will be provided across Orlando Pirates social media platforms.

They were quick to assert dominance over City in KwaMhlanga, creating their first chance inside the first five minutes. They came close through Simphiwe Masilela, who was played through on the left, only to be denied by goalkeeper Zukisa Mtuzula.

Pirates were stunned at the other end as the young Citizens took the lead in the 16th minute, with Shakeel April finding a way past Ethan Visagie with a fine strike to make it 1-0.  The team from the Mother City only remained ahead for five minutes as Bucs skipper Mbekezeli Mbokazi struck back from close range after the defence failed to deal with a ball delivered into the box from a corner.

One then quickly became two for the young Buccaneers, who took the lead in the 23rd minute through a brilliantly-worked team goal finished off by Siphamandla Msezane after a link-up between Seth Green and Masilela on the right flank.

With Pirates looking firmly in control, they had an opportunity to further extend their lead after the half-hour mark when they were awarded a free kick deep in opposition territory. The set piece was taken by Dimpho Mdalane, who drew a save from Mtuzula.

They continued to probe with Mazibuko and Green both sparked opportunities for themselves without affecting the scoreboard.

The second half began with Masilela finding a way into City’s penalty area once more, with his attempt at goal blocked. Mazibuko followed suit as he got the end of a pass from Green before he was denied the opportunity to get a shot away. The missed chances came back to haunt the Bucs Reserves as the visitors levelled matters after the hour mark as April completed his brace with a fine shot into the net.

They looked to wrestle their way into the lead, forcing Visagie into a couple of fine saves late in the contest. Pirates meanwhile had the opportunity to claim a last-gasp winner with replacement midfielder Cemran Dansin darting inside from the flank before hooking his shot wide of the target.

Two-goals apiece is how it remained in KwaMhlanga, as the first win of the new season remained elusive to the young Buccaneers.

Pirates Reserves XI: Visagie, Mbokazi, Ralenkoane, Selepe, Madalane, Moagi, Ngwenya, Green (Maphumulo 85’), Masilela (Ngobeni 64’), Mazibuko (Dansin 64’), Msezane (Mohlala 85’).

It’s the penultimate game week of the campaign, and the Bucs Reserves will look to go all out in ensuring a strong finish.

Form Guide

With just six points on offer in the remainder of the campaign, they can only finish as high as second place on the table. This is after officially dropping out of the title race last weekend despite posting a convincing 4-2 win in their game at home to Richards Bay.

The win was Pirates’ second on the trot, and it took them to 10 points earned in their last five matches through three victories and a draw with their only defeat during this period coming at home to current log leaders Stellenbosch.

The recent upturn in form has also strengthened their hold on third place, but they will be eager to enhance their chances of a possible second-place finish by claiming maximum points in both their remaining fixtures.

First on their agenda is overcoming a City side also fresh off a win in their most recent outing where they defeated rivals Cape Town Spurs 3-1 at home.

The young Citizens are in fifth place with nine points earned after winning three times and losing twice in their last five games.

Earning three points on Sunday could propel them into fourth place, which would be their highest achievable position if other results favour them for the remainder of the season.

Head-to-Head

The Bucs Reserves suffered their first defeat of the season in their last encounter with their City counterparts as a single goal separated the two sides in their game played at Malta Park Sports Complex in October last year.

The result stretched Pirates’ winless run in the fixture to three matches, with their last victory over the Capetonians dating back to February 2022 when goals from Cassius Spandiel and Thabiso Monyane saw them triumph with a 2-0 scoreline at Rand Stadium.

In their five most recent clashes, City have held a slight upper hand with two wins to Pirates’ one, netting four of the seven goals scored.

How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves vs Cape Town City Reserves

The game is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 and will not be televised. Live updates will be provided across Orlando Pirates’ social media platforms including the Club’s official mobile app.