Jose Riveiro, head coach of Orlando Pirates, will be going for revenge against Muhsin Ertugral. BackpagePix
Now that the Caf Champions League quarter-finals’ draw have been decided, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns can devote their full attention to the Betway Premiership.
Premiership teams have just passed the halfway mark and Sundowns look well-placed for an eighth successive league title.
Sundowns have opened a 12-point lead at the top of the log, although they have played three games more than Pirates.
On Saturday both Pirates and Sundowns are targeting revenge against teams that recently beat them this year.
Pirates host Cape Town City at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto (starting 3.30pm). The Buccaneers lost 1-0 to the Cape side in January.
Sundowns welcome TS Galaxy to the Lucas Moripe Stadium at 5.45pm. The Rockets stunned the Brazilians 1-0 in Nelspruit last week.
They have the chance to become the first team to complete a league double over Sundowns since Polokwane City in the 2017-18 season.
Jose Riveiro, Pirates coach, recently promoted winger Neo Mokoena along with his Diski Challenge captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
In the coming months, both Pirates and Sundowns will have a heavy schedule playing in Caf, domestic league and cup competitions.
In addition, several players from the sides will be called up for national team duty.
Mbokazi was part of the national Under-20 side that won the 2024 COSAFA Cup and was also in the Carling All-Stars team that defeated Magesi FC in the Carling Cup.
“Mbokazi is an interesting prospect. He's a difficult player to find. Left-footed centre-backs, there are not many," said Riveiro.
“He is a strong, competitive, good character, willing to learn, a coachable player so far."
One of these two 19-year-olds could enjoy a second-half run against City, although Riveiro stressed that the target is three points so that his side stays in touch with pace-setters Sundowns.
“I think that we can all agree that we must play for those three points," says Riveiro.
“We must do everything for those three points if we want to continue having options to fight for the league.
"So we have to take every game as a final and make sure that we choose the right players."
Pirates had a midweek break after their clash against Golden Arrows was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch in Hammarsdale and should be fighting-fit for their revenge mission against City.
Muhsin Ertugral's City are winless in their last four league games, with their last victory dating back to January 17.
The Citizens have only scored 11 goals in 18 league games so far this season and Ertugral feels his side’s lack of success in front of goal is a major concern.
“This is our problem. We don't score and then the pressure mounts. When we don't score, you can see the dropping of heads, and then one mistake and you get punished,” said Ertugral.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso was thrilled with the side's comeback win over Marumo Gallants in a midweek fixture. He hailed the team's play as “a complete performance" and he’ll be looking for more of the same against Galaxy.
Cardoso will be looking to Marcelo Allende to spearhead the team's attack. Despite playing in an ever-changing Sundowns side, Allende remains a regular in the middle of the park for his club.
In facing a hard-running Galaxy outfit, Allende’s vision could reset the opposition's backline, whether it be with a telling pass or a late run toward the 18-yard area.
Galaxy boss Tim Sukazi believes that a number of players can impress against Sundowns and press claims for a call-up to Bafana Bafana.
“Players like (Kulumani) Ndamane and (Samukelo) Kabini are the best defensive pairing in the league; I’m saying it loud and clear,” said Sukazi.
“They are national assets including Puso Dithejane and Kamogelo Sebelebele. They deserve to be in the national team. It makes no common logic for them not to be called.”