Sunday | May 2, 2021
Only united by province and status in the league, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are fierce rivals in the domestic football front. Still smarting over their 4-1 devastating loss to Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal just over weeks ago, the Buccaneers may not be faulted to settle the scores with this mouthwatering league fixture.
For the third time this season, their paths cross yet again. Sundowns, the Pretoria towering giants, visit Soweto, the seat of Orlando Stadium and the home of Pirates, to fire up their defence of the coveted and most prized title of them all – the Dstv Premiership League.
Today they meet for yet another league tussle with the customary three (3) points in the offing at 15:00. This is one of the biggest matches on the SA football calender by any measure.
Looking back in their first-round of the league clash, Sundowns defeated Pirates by a mere single goal in Pretoria on Jan. 2, 2021.
Only deposed at the summit of the league yesterday by Amazulu FC, Sundowns have a challenge this afternoon to mount back to their familiar spot on the table. Placed second on 48 points after 23 games, they need a win to regain that top position. To their advantage, they have played three games less compared to the explosive Amazulu.
In contrast, Pirates have their ambitions too. Not only will a league-victory improve their position on the log, it will restore a sense of pride if revenge was ever sweet.
At this juncture of the league, the Buccaneers are separated by nine (9) points against their compelling nemesis, Sundowns. They have seen out the same number [23] of games with Sundowns and lie fifth on the league standings.
Given their most recent encounter, it is abundantly clear that The Brazilians will be venturing into the terrain of the wounded in Orlando. Better still, their profound quest will be to hop the 2-point gap Amazulu opened up on Saturday, May 1, after beating Golden Arrows (2-1) in a KwaZulu-Natal derby.
Suffice that the historic battle between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns has never been short of fireworks. It has always been an exhilarating spectacle. If any lessons are to be drawn from the past, this very afternoon promises to be no different. Sparks will fly, so to speak.