Pirates face winless Gallants in North West test

Orlando Pirates will look to extend their winning run when they travel to Royal Bafokeng to face a struggling Marumo Gallants side in a Betway Premiership clash on Sunday.

The Buccaneers arrive in Rustenburg with momentum on their side after making it four consecutive league victories with a 2-0 win over Durban City on Thursday.

The result moved Pirates to 16 points from six matches, leaving them four points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. They have also emerged as the league’s leading scorers, having found the net 13 times.

Pirates have been particularly dangerous away from home, with eight of their goals coming on the road this season. They will now face a Gallants side still searching for their first victory of the campaign.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa sit at the bottom of the standings after collecting just two points from six matches. Their points have come from draws against Kruger United and Polokwane City.

Sunday’s fixture will also be the first for former Namibia international goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo in charge of Gallants, following changes to the club’s technical team.

Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised his players after Thursday’s victory, saying they showed the attacking intent and movement he expects from the team.

“The players played the football we want, playing forward, between the lines, we found the third-man running between the spaces,” Ouaddou said.

Gallants assistant coach Sundra Govinder said the team was prepared for the challenge.

Mentally our players are ready, physically, we are prepared and tactically obviously we have to be on point,” Govinder said.

Pirates have won five of their last eight meetings with Gallants, although their away record against Bahlabane Ba Ntwa has been less convincing. They have won once, drawn once and lost twice in their four previous away meetings.

The match kicks off at 15:00 at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL.