2024/25 Betway Premiership
Matchday 15
Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs
FNB Stadium
Johannesburg, South Africa
Saturday, 1 February 2025
Kick-off is at 15h30
Johannesburg will come to a standstill on Saturday, February 1 as thousands flock to the FNB Stadium for the first Soweto derby of the season between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
The arch-rivals are set to lock horns for the 86th time, with Amakhosi looking to arrest a two-match losing streak to their neighbours in the
Betway Premiership.
Nasreddine Nabi's side trail the Buccaneers by six points in fifth place, having played three games more and they'll be hoping to build on the 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United most recently on January 19.
It was their third victory in five matches, the other two ending in defeat, and Nabi will be keen to get some consistency going in the second half of the campaign after recording back-to-back wins just once in the opening five months of his tenure.
Pirates have only featured once in the league since the turn of the year due to their CAF Champions League commitments and they'll be determined to bounce back from just their second loss of the season.
Jose Riveiro's side were beaten 1-0 by Cape Town City on January 8 which left them six points adrift of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in second position, although they do have a game in hand.
Bucs were due to take on financially-stricken Royal AM on January 23, but the top-flight encounter was postponed suddenly and Riveiro admitted that their preparations were affected as a result.
"It's a permanent adaptation of circumstances in our job, this is one more, we were prepared to travel to Durban and stay there for the rest of the week, have a good camp, preparing for these two games," the Spaniard said.
"We couldn't unfortunately, it wasn't possible and again we have to change our schedule. It's the second time this season, once again Cape Town City in Cape Town because of weather conditions, we had to play 24 hours later and find a way to stay focused.
"This time, it's changing the plans a bit, we would have liked to play the game and fight for three points but it wasn't possible."
Nabi's assistant, Cedric Kaze, feels that progress is being made at Naturena under the Tunisian, who returns to the dugout for the highly-anticipated clash after serving a two-match touchline ban.
"It's been an intense first four months into this Big Project," Kaze said. "One game left before the end of the first round of the league, fifth on the table.
"Some beautiful and entertaining football we have shown on the field, although not always consistent in our results... We are working very hard to ensure this big club goes back to where it belongs... on top."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)
Matches - 5
Pirates wins - 2
Chiefs wins - 3
Draws - 0
Betway Premiership Matchday 15 fixtures:
Friday, January 31
19h30: Richards Bay v Magesi
Saturday, February 1
15h30: Marumo Gallants v Royal AM
15h30: Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs
15h30: Stellenbosch v Sekhukhune United
17h30: Polokwane City v Chippa United
20h00: AmaZulu v SuperSport United
Sunday, February 2
15h30: TS Galaxy v Cape Town City
17h45: Mamelodi Sundowns v Golden Arrows
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