As the sun sets over Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, excitement builds for the much-anticipated clash between Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership. The match, set to kick off at 19:30 on May 6, 2025, sees both teams in contrasting situations, with the Pirates looking to keep their title hopes alive while the Arrows desperately seek to escape the relegation zone.
Golden Arrows find themselves struggling, having gone four matches without a win. Their latest setback was a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC last weekend, which extended their winless streak. Currently, they sit in 14th place on the league table with just 26 points from 23 matches, leaving them only slightly above Cape Town City. With only 15 goals scored this season, the Arrows have one of the weakest attacking records in the league, and they need to find the back of the net more frequently to avoid the looming threat of promotional playoffs.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates are riding high after a thrilling 2-1 victory over their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby this past weekend. This win has reignited their hopes of securing a second-place finish and qualifying for next season's CAF Champions League, although they currently trail league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points. With two games in hand, a victory against Arrows this evening could cut that gap to nine points, adding pressure on Sundowns ahead of their upcoming clash against Chippa United.
The last time these two teams met was back in April 2024, when Pirates delivered a staggering 7-1 defeat to the Arrows, completing a double over them after also winning the first encounter 2-1 earlier in the season. Such a historic loss still looms large for the Arrows, who will be eager to turn the tide this time around.
As both teams prepare for the match, the line-ups have been confirmed:
Golden Arrows Starting XI: Maova, Jiyane, Kobedi, Matlaba, Zwane, Dlamini, S.Cele, Ndwandwe, Sibiya, Mthanti, Msomi
Substitutes: Watenga, Masuku, Lukhele, Nxadi, Maxwele, Van Rooi, Sithole, Malinga, Phillips
Orlando Pirates Starting XI: Buthelezi, Shandu, Xoki, Mbokazi, Van Rooyen, Makhaula, Dlamini, Maswanganyi, Madiba, Kimvuidi, Radiopane
Substitutes: Dladla, Selepe, Ndlozi, Nkota, Mako, Maela, Mabasa, Makgopa, Hotto
Jose Riveiro, the Pirates' head coach, expressed confidence in his squad, stating, "We are determined to keep our momentum going after the win against Chiefs. Every match is crucial for us as we aim for the top spots in the league. Our focus is solely on tonight's game, and we need to approach it with the right mentality."
On the other hand, Arrows' coach Manqoba Mngqithi is aware of the challenges his team faces but remains hopeful. "We know we have to step up our game, especially in front of our home fans. We need to find our scoring touch again if we want to secure our place in the league," he said.
The stakes are high as both teams take to the pitch. For the Pirates, it's about keeping the pressure on Sundowns and securing a Champions League spot. For the Arrows, it's a fight for survival in the league, making this clash a thrilling encounter for fans.
As the match approaches, both sets of supporters are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying atmosphere at the stadium. With the history between these two sides and the current form of both teams, anything can happen.
Kick-off is just moments away, and the excitement is palpable. Will the Pirates continue their winning ways, or can the Arrows pull off an upset? One thing is for sure: this match is not to be missed.
