Pirates Target Crucial Betway Premiership Win Against Richards Bay

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi expects a difficult Betway Premiership encounter against Richards Bay but insists the Buccaneers’ objective remains clear — securing all three points.

Orlando Pirates will host Richards Bay at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, knowing that a victory by two goals could see them reclaim the top spot in the league standings.

Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the summit of the Betway Premiership after beating Orbit College FC 2-0 at Olympia Park Stadium on Tuesday.

The Soweto giants head into the clash on the back of a 2-1 win over Polokwane City FC, while Richards Bay — coached by Papi Zothwane — stunned Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in their previous outing. The Natal Rich Boys will be aiming for another big scalp to extend their unbeaten run to three matches.

Ncikazi believes Pirates will face a well-organised and aggressive opponent but says the team is focused on executing its game plan to claim maximum points.

“We are facing another tough opponent,” said Ncikazi.

“Very aggressive in their press, very aggressive in counter-pressing. There is a lot of pairing in the central corridors. But we are playing in our stadium, in front of our supporters, and we are in the competition to get three points.

“If the plan goes according to what we have prepared, we should get three points on Wednesday.”

Pirates will also draw confidence from their recent record against Richards Bay, having won their last five meetings. However, any slip-up could hand momentum back to Sundowns in the tightly contested title race.