Pirates hold narrow lead over Sundowns in tight title race

Two points separate the clubs with five weeks remaining in the season, as Kaizer Chiefs prepare to face both challengers.

Orlando Pirates lead the Betway Premiership with 58 points from 25 matches, two points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played 23 games, as the league enters its final weeks before the 23 May conclusion¹². The Buccaneers have five matches remaining, while Sundowns have seven¹².

Pirates defeated AmaZulu 3-0 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, regaining the lead after recent draws against Siwelele FC and Richards Bay had threatened their position¹³. Sundowns were not in domestic action but advanced to the CAF Champions League final with a 1-0 victory over Esperance Tunis in the second leg of their semifinal, winning 2-0 on aggregate³. The Brazilians will face AS FAR of Morocco in the two-legged final on 15 and 24 May, after the domestic programme concludes¹².

Kaizer Chiefs, out of title contention, will play both challengers before the season ends: Pirates at FNB Stadium on Sunday and Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on 6 May³. Chiefs are unbeaten in their last six league matches, including five consecutive wins, their best run since 2019-20, before drawing 0-0 with Polokwane City on Saturday³⁸. They are pushing for third place, which would be their best finish since finishing second in 2019-20³.

Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi said control would be important in Sunday's derby. "If you play such matches, you have to focus on the details, being incisive in our attack, control the transitions, and we have to be highly clinical in front of goals," he said⁴. Ncikazi also addressed questions about the club's transfer policy, which has focused on recruiting potential rather than established stars. "With the team we have, that has won almost against every team, I don't think the policy has anything [to do] with the players we have," he said⁵.

Winger Oswin Appollis, who has scored 11 goals with eight assists this season, said winning the league was his priority over individual awards. "The player of the season award is not in mind at the moment. My job is to score goals for the team, help the team win and achieve goals," he said⁶⁹.

Former player Teko Modise predicted Pirates would win Sunday's derby 2-1 but tipped Sundowns to claim their ninth consecutive league title, citing their experience and squad depth⁷.