Royal AM and Orlando Pirates look to bounce back after suffering their first defeats in the DStv Premiership when they face off at the Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Royal AM will look to return to winning ways after they were forced to endure a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Stellenbosch FC at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Pirates will come into this match looking for a positive result after they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Daine Klate’s Chippa United outfit following Abdi Banda’s late goal.
When the two teams went head-to-head last season in the DStv Premiership, Royal and Pirates were forced to share the spoils in both home and away legs after playing out to a 1-1 draw at the Orlando Stadium before cancelling each other out with a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Chatsworth Stadium in the return leg.
Thwihli Thwahla’s first defeat saw them drop down to fifth place on the table with six points, having won two and lost one in three matches, while the Buccaneers are placed eighth in the league standings with four points after winning one, drawing one and conceding one defeat in their first three matches.
“Well I’m sad with the result but very proud of our performance, I think we did everything in order to win, we generated the chances, kept the counter-attacks under control,” Jose Riveiro told SuperSport after the game.
“One set-piece in the end punished the guys, punished us, it’s a game that we’ve seen many times in the football history, one team dominating, creating chances, not scoring. The other one having one chance, a set-piece in this case and getting the advantage and three points.
“Just improve the finishing, maybe we need to grow a bit more confidence in the last minutes that’s the key.
“We can face the game creating clear chances and when we do that we’re always going to be close to winning.
“We have to improve what we’re doing and improve in the last minutes, like I said maybe it’s a question of confidence but it will come.”
Dan Malesela and Jose Riveiro will have their entire squad fit and ready for the clash at the Chatsworth Stadium with no injuries or suspensions as they look to return to winning ways.
Andre de Jong hit the ground running this campaign as he looks to continue the form that has seen him score three goals in his last two matches.
Bienvenu Eva Nga will look to pick up his form in front of goal following his first goal for the Buccaneers on his debut after failing to score in his last two appearances.
Royal AM Form Ths Season:
WWL
Orlando Pirates Form This Season:
WDL