The Betway Premiership is up and running, and Orlando Pirates are on the road for their first away fixture of the 2025/26 season, making the trip to the Free State to face Marumo Gallants at Dr Molemela Stadium on Tuesday night.
This clash brings together one of the league’s most storied clubs and one of its youngest, adding a fresh chapter to what is still an emerging rivalry.
Read: Shalulile’s Agent Flies In For Crucial Sundowns Talks Over Striker’s Future
It also marks a personal return for Bucs head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who previously called the Dr Molemela Stadium home and will now be aiming to collect his first Premiership points as Pirates boss.
The two sides find themselves at opposite ends of the table after an eventful opening weekend.
Pirates slipped to a narrow 1-0 home defeat against Sekhukhune United, while Gallants opened their campaign with an impressive win – a result they’ll be eager to back up with a rare run of successive victories at the start of a top flight season.
Meanwhile, there were debuts for Tshepho Mashiloane and Kamogelo Sebelebele on Saturday in the defeat to Babina Noko, while Sipho Mbule and Oswin Appollis made their first Premiership appearances in Pirates colours, having also featured in the previous fixture – the MTN8 quarterfinal against Polokwane City.
However, Ouaddou still has several options who are yet to feature competitively, including Masindi Nemtajela and Sinoxolo Kwayiba, while Nkosikhona Ndaba inched closer to a run-out after making the bench on Saturday.
Pressure is mounting on the coach to consider turning to his tried-and-tested strike force. Seasoned frontmen Tshegofatso Mabasa and Evidence Makgopa have both been notable absentees in the two matches played so far this season – the MTN8 quarter-final and the Premiership opener – and their presence could provide the cutting edge the Soweto giants were missing in front of goal.
With their first two competitive fixtures of the season producing just one win – in cup competition – and leaving them in an unfamiliar 13th spot in the league standings, the Buccaneers will be eager to respond quickly and avoid losing early ground on their title ambitions.
Read – ‘Fetching Power’ – Female Sports Leaders On Beating The System
Gallants, however, will be brimming with confidence after their opening triumph and will look to capitalise on home advantage to make it two wins from two.
To see how the Buccaneers could shape up as they look to return to winning ways, check out our gallery for a possible Pirates starting XI against Gallants.
