Pirates Aim To Top Premiership With Victory Over City

Orlando Pirates have a chance to ascend to the top of the Betway Premiership if they defeat Cape Town City at DHL Stadium on Wednesday (19:30).

Pirates are currently on 27 points, three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (30), who have played one game more. Both sides have identical records, scoring 22 goals and conceding only four.

However, Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has paid tribute to Cape Town City’s new coach, Muhsin Ertugral, describing him as an experienced tactician who will inject new energy into the side on Wednesday.

City are now led by former Pirates coach Ertugral, who replaced Eric Tinkler earlier this year.

Ertugral made an impressive start in his first game, guiding City to a victory over Kaizer Chiefs, another of his former clubs, at DHL Stadium on Sunday.

On the other hand, City face an in-form Pirates side, who thrashed Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 in their CAF Champions League group stage match over the weekend.

Pirates will also be buoyed by their 2-0 victory over City in the MTN8 second-leg semifinal at Orlando Stadium earlier this season. The first leg at DHL Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw, and Wednesday’s match promises another exciting atmosphere in Cape Town.

Despite their recent success, Ncikazi acknowledges that City under Ertugral will pose a significant challenge.

“It is another opportunity for the team to get points,” said Ncikazi. 

“It will not be an easy game, very experienced coach, new tactics, new energy from the opponents. 

“They have big motivation from their previous result. But one thing good about our team, we just focused on the next match, try improve our performance. 

“The best of us should get three points against Cape Town City.”  

Pirates will be without hardman Makhehleni Makhaula, who is suspended for this match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.