Orlando Pirates will be looking to claim three points in their first home game of 2026 as they face Magesi in the Betway Premiership at the newly dubbed Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Pirates did not manage to claim all three points in their last league outing but kept their unbeaten streak alive, settling for a goalless draw against Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last Saturday.
Since the club’s CAF Champions League qualifying loss to Saint-Éloi Lupopo in October, Pirates have gone unbeaten in all competitions, winning eight games and drawing two.
The Buccaneers now sit third on the Betway Premiership log with 29 points, three off of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and one behind Kaizer Chiefs. However, they have two games in hand over both teams.
They will be looking to make a statement in their first home game of the year in their newly named home ground.
𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐀𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚.
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) January 29, 2026
🆚 @Magesi_FC
• 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄
• 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞- 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓
• 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓
📆 31 January 2026… pic.twitter.com/k1CFh1FCuC
Magesi will be looking to start 2026 on a high note after struggling in the first half of the 2025/26 season.
Dikwena tša Meetse sit bottom of the table with 11 points collected from 14 league games.
The team is on a five-match streak without a win in all competitions, having registered three losses and two draws since the club’s last victory on 18 October.
They will be hunting for a third league victory to claw their way closer to safety.
WHAT WAS SAID
Despite their opponent’s place on the log, Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side will not underestimate Magesi.
“We know that Magesi is a brave team, very compact with a very strong team spirit,” said Ouaddou.
“We've been doing a great job since the beginning of the week, preparing mentally, physically, tactically for that game.We really want to start the year in good shape in front of our fans.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando Pirates - Andre de Jong is awaiting his first game for the Buccaneers after joining from Stekkenbosch in early January. Described by his new head coach as an experienced and “clever” player who can play in between the lines, de Jong will be looking to endear himself to the Pirates faithful should his chance come on Saturday.
Magesi - Kgomotso Mosadi leads Dikwena tša Meetse in both goals and assists in the league this season. He has started all 14 of the club’s games and will be looking to contribute further to take his side out of the relegation zone.
HEAD-TO-HEAD (League fixtures)
Orlando Pirates wins: 1
Magesi wins: 0
Draws: 1