After failing to break down a Stellenbosch FC side that played most of Tuesday's 0-0 draw with 10 men, Orlando Pirates will host Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday at FNB Stadium knowing that anything but a win would leave their South African Premiership title dream in tatters.
Brian Onyango's red card in the 35th minute left Stellenbosch a man light and handed Pirates a golden opportunity to capitalise. However, they had a poor second half and Tshegofatso Mabasa rightly saw what would have been a late winner ruled out for offside.
Pirates are the only realistic obstacle to Sundowns winning an eighth straight Premiership title. However, after Peter Shalulile and Arthur Sales scored in a 2-0 win over AmaZulu - also on Tuedsay - José Riveiro's men are 18 points behind the Brazilians.
Even with four games in hand, closing that sort of gap to a side which has only dropped eight points all season is a tough task.
Sundowns beat Pirates 4-1 in the reverse fixture, but have also proven vulnerable against Pirates in some recent clashes - most notably last year's Nedbank Cup final, which Pirates won 2-1.
Key details:
Date: Sunday, Mar 16 at 3:30 PM CAT (1:30 PM GMT, 9:30 AM ET)
Venue: FNB Stadium
How to watch: The match is available on SuperSport.
Team news:
Orlando Pirates Fan favourite Patrick Maswanganyi came back from injury with a cameo off the bench in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final win over SuperSport United and he got more minutes against Stellenbosch.
It is likely that he will be fit to start against Sundowns despite having been used sparingly in the Buccaneers' last two matches.
Sundowns have signed former Lille and Strasbourg striker Lebo Mothiba, but he has yet to work his way to full fitness as he recovers from injury.
Expected lineups:
Orlando Pirates
GK Sipho Chaine
LB Deon Hotto | CB Nkosinathi Sibisi | CB Mbekezeli Mbokazi | RB Deano van Rooyen
CM Thalente Mbatha | CM Makhehlene Makhaula
LW Relebohile Mofokeng | AM Patrick Maswanganyi | RW Mohau Nkota
ST Tshegofatso Mabasa
Mamelodi Sundowns
LB Aubrey Modiba | CB Malibongwe Khoza | CB Lucas Suárez | RB Khuliso Mudau
CM Marcelo Allende | CM Teboho Mokoena | CM Jayden Adams
LW Tashreeq Matthews | ST Iqraam Rayners | RW Lucas Ribeiro Costa
Stats:
With 50 goals scored this season, Mamelodi Sundowns are only two shy of their 2023-24 tally with eight games remaining.
Peter Shalulile (127 Premiership goals) is now only two away from equalling Siyabonga Nomvethe's record of 129.
Sundowns have three players (Lucas Ribeiro Costa, 13 goals; Iqraam Rayners, 9 goals; Peter Shalulile, 6 goals) with more Betway Premiership goals this season than Pirates' top league scorer in 2024/25, Tshegofatso Mabasa (5 goals)