Pirates bring momentum to Baroka clash

Orlando Pirates will bring the momentum from a big win in CAF club competition this past weekend into their Absa Premiership clash with Baroka FC at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 19h30 CAT.

Pirates extended their unbeaten run in the league to 13 matches with a 4-2 home win over Chippa United on January 8. The Soweto giants scored via Happy Jele, Vincent Pule, Kudakwashi Mahachi and a Phetso Maphanga own goal.

They also claimed a 3-0 win over Horoya in the CAF Champions League this past weekend, showing their class against the Guinea visitors to boost their continental campaign.

The Buccaneers have claimed 13 points from eight home league matches this season. The only team to beat Pirates in their own back yard was Bidvest Wits back in August.

Baroka played to their sixth draw of the season when they held Cape Town City 2-2 away on January 12. The Limpopo side were just five minutes and added time away from victory in the ‘Mother City’.

Bakgaga have claimed eight points from their nine away matches this season. After five successive losses on the road, they are unbeaten in their last four matches outside the Limpopo province.

In head-to-head stats, Baroka and Pirates have met in five league matches since 2016/17. The Buccaneers boast an unbeaten record, with two wins and three draws in the sequence. The Soweto side has recorded one win and one draw from their two home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in September 2018, Pirates claimed a 2-1 away win thanks to goals from Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch.

Previous line-ups;

Pirates’ line-up from their 4-2 win over Chippa on January 8: Mpontshane, Mbekile, Munetsi, Jele, Ndengane, Maela, Pule, Nyatama (Makola 61’), Mlambo, Lorch (Shonga 86’), Mulenga (Mahachi 83’).

Baroka’s line-up from their 2-2 draw with City on January 12: Chipezeze, Kgoetyane, Semenya, Sibiya, Gebhardt, Mabeba (Chawapiwa 66’), Madigoe, Mosele, Makgaga, Sodi, Dickens (Madubanya 82’).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2016/17 Baroka 1-1 Pirates Masuluke; Chabalala
2016/17 Pirates 1-1 Baroka Sarr; Letsoalo
2017/18 Baroka 1-1 Pirates Banda; Qalinge
2017/18 Pirates 3-1 Baroka Nyatama, Memela 2; Mdantsane (pen)
2018/19 Baroka 1-2 Pirates Makgantai; Pule, Lorch

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2016/17)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Pirates 2 1 1 0 4 2
Baroka 3 0 2 1 3 4

Away

P W D L GF GA

Pirates 3 1 2 0 4 3
Baroka 2 0 1 1 2 4

Total

P W D L GF GA

Pirates 5 2 3 0 8 5
Baroka 5 0 3 2 5 8

What the teams are saying

Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic:

“I’d like to express condolences to all South Africans upon losing Philemon ‘Chippa’ Masinga. We want to dedicate this win to him,” the Serb said after the win over Horoya.

“It is the third consecutive time that Horoya [is playing against a South African side], they have drawn two times [but] today we beat them.

“It was not an easy match as the results are showing. It was a tough match. Exactly the way we have planned, we have passed.”

Baroka FC midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane:

“I’m excited, I feel happy, but there’s more to offer,” said Mdantsane, who will rack up his 50thAbsa Premiership appearance should he take to the field against Orlando Pirates.

“I think I need to work more to get more games. I have to work hard every day, but I am happy for playing so much. And staying consistent in the game, I think it’s important.”

Orlando Pirates key players

Thembinkosi Lorch – A fine goal against Horoya on the weekend will have further boosted Lorch’s confidence, with the attacker already proving a key man for the Buccaneers through the season. Baroka will need to keep a close eye on the 25-year-old.

Kudakwashe Mahachi – The Zimbabwean has been making a big impact at Orlando Pirates in recent weeks, particularly when used as a substitute in the latter part of a match. The Buccaneers will hope he can cause Baroka’s backline all kinds of troubles.

Baroka FC key players

Siyabong Vilane – The veteran forward was signed last week on a two-year deal from National First Division side Uthongathi FC. Baroka will hope this experience and nous in front of goal help their fight against relegation.

Jemondre Dickens – Baroka’s ‘find of the season’, young forward Dickens has been in fine scoring form and will hope to make an even bigger impression by terrorising the Pirates defence. However, he’ll need good service from his midfield.