With Orlando Pirates striving to close the gap on league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi emphasizes that Saturday’s Betway Premiership match against Marumo Gallants presents a crucial opportunity to secure three points.

Pirates will play before a sold-out crowd at Toyota Stadium on Saturday (17:45) against Gallants, who, like the Soweto giants, are desperate for points to escape the relegation zone.

Gallants currently sit 14th in the Betway Premiership table with 16 points from 18 matches.

Meanwhile, Pirates are attempting to catch Sundowns, who have extended their lead to 51 points, 15 points ahead of Pirates, after 19 matches. It’s worth noting that Sundowns have played four more games.

Sundowns increased their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership with a 4-2 victory over Sekhukhune United at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.

As Pirates aim to reduce the deficit, they face an unpredictable Gallants side, who recently replaced coach Dan Malesela with Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou last Friday.

“It’s another opportunity for our team to wrestle and fight for three points. It’s an uncertain approach, we don’t know what the opponent will offer,” said Ncikazi. 

“It’s a re-energise team, the new coach at the helm, but we just have to put everything in our power to get three points.”  

Pirates will draw confidence from their dominant 8-1 victory over Gallants at Orlando Stadium in the first round in December.