Rejuvenated Pirates unlikely to gift Chippa United their first win of the season

Chippa United's 'Chilly Boys' will be charging onto the pitch with relentless determination when they host the Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, as they seek to chalk up their first victory in the Betway Premiership this season.

With a rough start to their campaign, the Chilli Boys are currently languishing at the bottom of the standings, and a win is crucial to lifting themselves out of the relegation zone.

The Pirates, however, come into this clash with a rejuvenated spirit, buoyed by their recent form that has seen them clinch two consecutive league victories and secure a place in the MTN8 final after ousting the formidable Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties.

Under the guidance of new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, Pirates may not have reached their peak, but they are undeniably on an upward trajectory.

Chippa's current woes are depressing. The team suffered a disheartening 1-0 defeat against Richards Bay on Tuesday, marking their third consecutive loss in the league.

With only one point from four matches, the Eastern Cape side is in dire need of a turnaround. An inspiring victory over the Buccaneers could provide just that, propelling them from the bottom of the table. The spectre of three losses haunting them is a stark contrast to Pirates' resurgence.

The historical narrative heavily favours the Buccaneers, who boast an impressive record of 19 wins in their last 26 encounters against Chippa, alongside a solid 3 draws and just 4 losses. Compounding Chippa's struggles, they have not managed to defeat their rivals since 2016, when Pirates last suffered a defeat on their turf.

Injuries add an extra layer of complication for both teams ahead of this highly anticipated clash. Chippa's captain, Stanley Nwabali, is a doubt after his early substitution against Richards Bay, while Pirates will be without Nkosinathi Sibisi and Deano van Rooyen, with Relebohile Mofokeng's availability also uncertain following his recent absence.

Chippa's interim coach, Morgan Mammila, remains resolute, insisting: “There is a big one coming up... I’m not worried about the opponent; I’m only worried about my team. They must apply themselves according to how we train.” His belief in his players and their capability to deliver a shock against Pirates could be pivotal.

On the other side, coach Ouaddou is adopting an aggressive approach, stating, “You must win every game – home and away. There’s no moment when you can think about a draw.” His intent to instil an offensive mindset indicates that the Pirates will aim to overwhelm their opponents.

Key players will undoubtedly influence the outcome of the match. For Chippa United, attacking midfielder Khaya Mfecane has shown promise, netting twice in his last two appearances and will look to be the spark that ignites Chippa's resurgence.

Meanwhile, Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates is hungry for further glory after being named Man of the Match in the Bucs’ previous contest and will aim to inspire his side to yet another triumph.