2024/25 Betway Premiership
Matchday 14
Royal AM v Orlando Pirates
Harry Gwala Stadium
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Thursday, 23 January 2025
Kick-off is at 19h30
Orlando Pirates will be looking to get the
Betway Premiership title challenge back on track when they face Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday, January 23.
The Buccaneers made a flying start to the season, winning their opening seven matches in the league before Stellenbosch brought an end to their perfect record on December 1, handing them a 1-0 defeat.
Jose Riveiro's side signed off 2024 on a high after recording back-to-back wins against Marumo Gallants (8-1) and Magesi (1-0), but they kicked off the new year with a 1-0 loss to Cape Town City on January 8.
The Sea Robbers trail defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns by three points in second place and they smell blood in the water against a team in all sorts of trouble both on and off the pitch.
Thwihli Thwahla are in financial straits which resulted in the players going on strike earlier this month due to not being paid their December salaries.
The KZN outfit were scheduled to play Chippa United on January 11, but the game was postponed as the players had not yet returned to training, although that matter has since been resolved.
John Maduka's side are languishing down in 15th place after losing four of their last five league encounters and only picking up one point during that poor run of results.
Royal AM have yet to feature in the new year, with their last match of 2024 ending in a 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy on December 29.
Riveiro is hoping to use Bucs' impressive 2-1 win over Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League on Saturday as a springboard to put pressure on Bafana ba Style at the league summit.
"It is a message for ourselves as a young team to say and understand that we have the capacity to compete in scenarios like this one," the Spaniard said.
"I am not talking about the game, but I am talking about the capacity to perform and to compete even in difficult moments like this.
"So we are so happy we are on top of the group. That is what is important but for today, it's the character and the personality of the team that matters in a scenario like this."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)
Matches - 5
Royal AM wins - 0
Pirates wins - 3
Draws - 2
Betway Premiership Matchday 14 fixtures:
Wednesday, January 22
19h30: Magesi v Mamelodi Sundowns
Thursday, January 23
19h30: Royal AM v Orlando Pirates
19h30: AmaZulu v Stellenbosch
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