Form Guide
The newcomers have matched some big names so far in their debut season, and currently sit in eighth place with five games played. This is after going unbeaten in their opening four fixtures, collecting six points in the process.

That unbeaten run ended in their last outing as they came unstuck against Kaizer Chiefs after conceding late to go down 1-0. Dikwena tsa Meetse have however already collected a big scalp this season, going past Mamelodi Sundowns on Match Day 3 and will be determined to bag their second DDC win against the young Buccaneers.

It’s a task that could prove quite challenging against a side that’s also looking to bounce back after losing in their most recent outing. This was when they fell to a 3-0 loss away to TS Galaxy last Saturday.The defeat was Pirates’ first of the season, ending a two-match winning streak where they added six more points to take their tally to eight in their first four games. Having dropped from second to sixth in the standings, they will be in search of a quick turnaround in fortunes on their return to home turf.

Head-to-Head
Pirates and Magesi have had no prior encounters at DDC level, and Saturday’s clash will be a historic first-ever meeting between the two sides.

How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves va Magesi Reserves
The match kicks off at 10:00 and will not be televised. You can keep in touch with the action as it happens by following live updates posted across Orlando Pirates’ social media platforms.

It was the young Buccaneers’ first defeat of the new season, coming right after two successive wins that took their points tally after four matches to eight. They faced a stiff challenge against a Galaxy outfit that went in search of their first win after playing to three consecutive draws in their previous fixtures.

The home side started strong, dominating possession within the opening minutes and creating pressure on the Pirates’ defence. A crucial moment came in the eighth minute when debutant goalkeeper Bayanda Zulu nearly conceded following a misplaced ball, but managed to recover under pressure. Bucs defender Jabulani Mokone narrowly escaped a booking in the 14th minute following a foul just outside the penalty box.

However, just three minutes later, another defensive error led to Zulu committing a foul inside the box with Galaxy duly taking the lead after converting from the penalty spot. Cemran Dansin had an opportunity to draw level moments later, but misfired with his effort.

The pressure was however concentrated at the other end where the home side sought to extend their lead. It took until the 30th minute for them to double their advantage after breaking the offside
trap, forcing Mokone into an own goal from a low cross.

Heading into the break with undesired daylight between themselves and their opponents, the Buccaneers made a tactical change before the restart as they brought Gosiame Ngobeni on to bolster the attack. It was however Spamandla Msezane who had the first opportunity in the second half, which he could not convert following a pass from Cemran Dansin.

The Bucs forward had another chance from a free kick after he was fouled just outside the box, but his effort missed the target. Meanwhile, Galaxy continued to press, testing the Pirates’ defence with quick breaks, but Zulu was quick off his line to make a critical save to deny a third goal.

What turned out to be the Pirates’ final chance in the contest came when a pinpoint cross found Ngobeni inside the box, with his shot drifting wide. The team from Mpumalanga was also awarded a set piece of their own in the latter stages, but Zulu’s reflexes kept the scoreline at 2-0.

Despite Pirates’ efforts to fight back, the home side had the final say as they netted their third of the afternoon deep in injury time. This underlined a miserable outing for the Bucs Reserves as the final whistle sounded soon after, confirming a heavy defeat on the road.

Pirates Reserves XI: Zulu, Selepe, Ralenkoane, Mokone, Sibiya (Madalane 90’), Molepo (Ngwenya 72’), Dansin (Masilela 72’), Mohlala, Green, Magadla (Ngobeni 46’), Msezane.

They had bright moments early on, despite being largely pinned inside their half, with
Thabiso Lebitso and Thalente Mbatha each sending a shot over the bar inside the opening five minutes. The Spanish side came close to taking the lead in the 10th minute through Pablo Sàenz, who drew a save from Sipho Chaine. The resultant corner led to another close call as Evidence Makgopa intervened to keep out a Miguel Rubio header.

Pirates were the side to break the deadlock with the opener coming in the 19th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi’s piercing pass located an unmarked Gilberto, who produced a composed finish past Marc Martinez to make it 1-0.That lead was however short-lived as the two sides were level once more inside the opening quarter as Shon Weissman pounced on a misplaced pass from Sandile Mthethwa before
turning the ball into the net.

The contest remained at a high tempo for the rest of the first period, and the Buccaneers
could have restored their lead right before the break when Gilberto surged into the box before being bundled into the ground as he set himself up for a shot at goal.

They had to wait a while before their first real chance of the second half which came when
Monnapule Saleng latched onto a wayward pass deep in Granada territory, but the resultant
shot was hit straight at replacement keeper Luca Zidane. The French shot-stopper’s defences were breached moments later by Tshegofatso Mabasa, whose shot was cleared off the line by Pablo Insua.

Kabelo Dlamini fired wide with his curling effort late in the contest, and there was a last-gasp
opportunity for Sérigné Faye at the other end with the Senegalese forward misfiring with his
attempt at goal. It remained level as the final whistle sounded, signalling a second stalemate for the
Buccaneers in Marbella.

Pirates XI: Chaine (Dladla 61’), Ndah (Sesane 61’), Mthethwa (Sibisi 61’), Lebitso (Monyane
61’), Maela (Hotto 61’), Makhaula (Timm 61’), Mbatha (Rasebotja 61’), Saleng (Dlamini 61’),
Maswanganyi (Kimvuidi 61’), Gilberto (Otladisa 61’), Makgopa (Mabasa 22’, Nkota 81’).