Thabo Matlaba of Orlando Pirates and Paseka Mako of Chippa United during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Chippa United at Orlando Stadium. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Phakaaathi’s Khaya Ndubane and Jonty Mark give their views on who will win this one, and why.
Why Chippa will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)
Head-to-head statistics suggest that this will be a closely contested affair of teams that are evenly-matched.
In the nine matches played between the sides since 2012, Bucs have won five, while the Chilli Boys have claimed three wins, with the other four ending in draws. One cannot rule out another draw between the teams.
Chippa have proved to be a tough side to beat especially at home under Teboho Moloi. In fact, the Chilli Boys last tasted a defeat at home in December when they went 1-0 to Polokwane City.
What’s interesting to note is that this season the Chilli Boys held Mamelodi Sundowns to a draw and beat Kaizer Chiefs at home. A clear indication that they always do well against the big teams.
I therefore predict a win for the Chilli Boys this afternoon.
Prediction: Chippa United 1 Orlando Pirates 0
Why Pirates will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)
It has been an excellent 2018 so far for Orlando Pirates, who are most certainly one of the sides in with a chance of upsetting Mamelodi Sundowns in the Absa Premiership title race.
It took Milutin Sredojevic a while to bed into the Buccaneers job after taking over at the beginning of August, but he has now moulded a Pirates side in his own image, with new signings like Justin Shonga and Marshall Munetsi bedding in well.
Sredojevic walked away with the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month award for January, and the signs are good in February too, with wins over Maritzburg United in the league and Ajax Cape Town in the Nedbank Cup.
Pirates have also enjoyed a two week break from playing since that win over Ajax, that should leave them well rested for Sunday’s trip to Chippa United, who have had a week less to recoup and are coming off the back of a tricky trip to Baroka FC last weekend, a game that ended goalless.
Chippa are unbeaten this year, but that includes five draws in seven games, and I expect that Teboho Moloi will lose to his former side on Sunday, 1-0, with maybe even former Chippa man Thembinkosi Lorch netting the winner for the Buccaneers.
Prediction: Chippa United 0 Orlando Pirates 1
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
