Royal AM vs Orlando Pirates

It is a must-win for both sides who are bidding to finish the seasons as runners-up to champions Mamelodi Sundowns and play Caf Champions League football next ...

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Orlando Pirates will continue their quest for CAF Champions League football away to Royal AM on Friday, 27 May.

Orlando Pirates will continue their quest for CAF Champions League football away to Royal AM on Friday, 27 May. Orlando Pirates will continue their quest for CAF Champions League football away to Royal AM on Friday, 27 May. Orlando Pirates will continue their quest for CAF Champions League football away to Royal AM on Friday, 27 May. Photo: Twitter @OrlandoPirates

The South African Premier Soccer League is back in action with another round of matches this week as Orlando Pirates take on Royal AM on Friday.

Royal AM have managed seven victories against Orlando Pirates and will need to cut the deficit on Friday. The Buccaneers ended their poor run of form against Maritzburg United and will look to build on their resurgence this week. Orlando Pirates are in sixth place in the South African Premier Division and have not been at their best so far.

Royal AM will seek a CAF Champions League spot when they close their DStv Premiership campaign in hosting Orlando Pirates at the Chatsworth Stadium on ...

On Friday night, the sixth-placed Pirates will look to step a closer to Caf Champions League participation when they visit Chatsworth Stadium for a showdown ...

A win for Pirates will increase their tally from 43 to 46 points, but they will remain in sixth place. A draw will ensure Royal AM of a Confederation Cup berth. A win for Royal AM will propel them into second place, and Cape Town City will be forced into third place and out of the Champions League zone. The Machupu - Letsoalo pairing has produced 23 of Royal AM's 29 Premiership goals this season. He was a thorn in the flesh of the shaky Sundowns defence, and two (missed) attempts were fractionally wide from acute angles. He is an integral part of Royal AM, who like Pirates also harbour Champions League dreams.

The deal day is finally here for the home team and Thwihli Thwahla will square it off with the Buccaneers at the Chatsworth Stadium on Friday.

On matchday 28, they settled for a point against Golden Arrows away from home as the match ended in a (2-2) stalemate at full time. Royal AM might be playing in the CAF Champions League next season if they earn a win here, and might even get the CAF Confederation Cup if they share the spoils. The first spot has been occupied already, however, the second spot is very much vacant, they have forty-six points and are three points behind Cape Town City in second place with forty-nine points. They have lost two games and earned a mere three points through stalemates in their recent five games. We can also call this one of the most significant matches in the league this season as both teams rally for points. Royal AM have failed to win any of their last five matches and that demonstrates they will have to fight tooth and nail for points in their final match of the season.

Royal AM vs Orlando Pirates match preview: TV & streaming details, ticket information, team news, expected line-ups, free betting tips & prediction…

Royal AM and Orlando Pirates will be fighting for Caf Champions League spot when they meet at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday.

They have absolute trust and believe in each and every individual in the team. “We have done really well and that goes to the hard work put in by the players and the technical team. “I think the guys are ready for the last game of the season against Orlando Pirates. It is not going to be an easy one.

Orlando Pirates continue their pursuit of a CAF Champions League spot when they visit Royal AM in their penultimate DStv Premiership encounter of the ...

Royal AM, on the other hand, have the same ambitions of qualifying for the CAF Champions League in their final game of the season. In case of a draw, the Buccaneers would need to win their last game against SuperSport United by a margin of five goals to return to the Confederation Cup. A draw could secure Royal AM a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup, as they have a superior goal difference over third-placed Stellenbosch. Orlando Pirates continue their pursuit of a CAF Champions League spot when they visit Royal AM in their penultimate DStv Premiership encounter of the season. The Buccaneers climbed up to sixth on the log, six points behind second-placed Cape Town City and need to win their two games in hand to clinch a CAF Champions League spot. However, Thwihli Thwahla extended their winless streak to five matches in the league after a 3-2 defeat against champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Monday. John Maduka's charges are placed fifth on the table, three points behind the Citizens with a superior goal difference on both teams and will qualify for the Champions League if they beat Pirates. Pirates kept their hopes of a runners-up spot alive after thrashing Maritzburg United 4-1 on Tuesday, a result that also ended their three-match winless run in the league.

Key players to look out for in Friday's blockbuster DStv Premiership clash between Royal AM and Orlando Pirates at the Chatsworth Stadium.

Victor Letsoalo (Royal AM): The 29-year-old attacker has been central to Royal AM’s remarkable run in the league, providing over a third of their goals scored this season. Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates): While Lorch’s quality has never been in doubt, it has been at its most evident over the past week, where he has churned out back-to-back Man-of the Match performances for the Buccaneers, justifying his recent national call-up. READ

Follow all of the live action from this evening's crunch DStv Premiership clash between Royal AM and Orlando Pirates below.

Nothing was different in how we approached the game. Orlando Pirates can reclaim second spot in the DStv Premiership log from Kaizer Chiefs with a win against Swallows on Tuesday, 14 December. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/Sports Inc Orlando Pirates can reclaim second spot in the DStv Premiership log from Kaizer Chiefs with a win against Swallows on Tuesday, 14 December. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/Sports Inc

Orlando Pirates' starting XI to face Royal AM in their penultimate Premier Soccer League game at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday has been named. After sailing all ...

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Royal AM and Orlando Pirates shared the spoils at the Chatsworth Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Friday night, with the 2-2 result meaning no CAF ...

In search of attacking variations, Royal AM introduced Elias Pelembe, Sedwyn George and Menzi Masuku in the 67th minute of the match. Royal AM began the second-half just as they ended the first and immediately took possession of the ball. As the referee closed proceedings in the first 45, Pirates looked to manage the closure of the half while Royal AM showed their attacking intent.

Orlando Pirates and Royal AM cancelled themselves from finishing second and booking a place in next season's Caf Champions League after they played to a 2-2 ...

Pirates are playing catch-up in their league programme after their three matches against Maritzburg United, Royal AM and SuperSport were postponed due to their participation in the Caf Confederation Cup where they were beaten in the final by Moroccan club RS Berkane in Nigeria on Friday last week. With a draw Pirates can now only finish on 47 points — which Royal are on — if they beat SuperSport United in their last match in Pretoria on Monday. Orlando Pirates and Royal AM cancelled themselves from finishing second and booking a place in next season’s Caf Champions League after they played to a 2-2 draw at the Chatsworth Stadium on Friday night.

Orlando Pirates' hopes of securing the final CAF Champions League spot were officially dashed after letting a two-goal lead slip at Royal AM on Friday ...

However, the Buccaneers got out of their defensive shape after that and they made a double change in the 73rd minute as Abel Mabaso replaced Hotto for tactical reasons and Terrence Dzvukamanja came on for Peprah for fresh legs upfront. Thwihli Thwahla got a lifeline in the last 11 minutes after former Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba found the back of the net with a stunning strike from distance that sailed into the top corner. The home side pinned Pirates back in and around their own box in the opening exchanges of the second stanza but they could only trouble Richard Ofori on the hour-mark, as Mxolisi Macuphu's dipping strike produced a reflex save from the Ghanaian shot-stopper. Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids' men absorbed the pressure towards the end of the first stanza, but Hotto had an opportunity to extend the lead on the stroke of halftime with a free-kick on the edge of the box but ballooned his effort over the crossbar. Pirates took no chances as they brought in two defenders Jele and Wayde Jooste to protect the result, however, they invited more pressure as Mfundo Thikazi snatched the equaliser for the hosts in stoppage time, as the sides shared the spoils. The Buccaneers had a perfect start as Deon Hotto bagged his eighth goal of the seaosn within the first three minutes with a clinical strike in the box after a cross by Thembinkosi Lorch. The result means Cape Town City officially grab second spot, while Pirates will need to win by at least a five-goal margin against SuperSport United to return to the CAF Confederation Cup on Monday. John Maduka's charges raised their game in attack after that but they did not have the cutting edge, as the Pirates defence dealt with their threats. The visitors remained on the front foot as Kwame Peprah doubled their lead four minutes later with a towering header after some good work by Hotto, who won the header at the far post to set up his strike partner. Pirates made only one change from the thumping win over Maritzburg United, as Ntsikelelo Nyauza came in for Happy Jele, who dropped to the bench while Royal AM rotated their side, with their leading goal-scorer Victor Letsoalo not available. Orlando Pirates' hopes of securing the final CAF Champions League spot were officially dashed after letting a two-goal lead slip at Royal AM on Friday evening.

Orlando Pirates saw their hopes of Champions League football dashed after being pegged back to a draw by Royal AM at the Chatsworth Stadium.

It was a match with genuine opportunities few and far between and it took Royal AM until the 79th minute to equalise. However, John Maduka's were not finding any clear openings through a well-organised Pirates side, who were content to sit back. Royal AM was enjoying the majority of the possession and keeping Pirates camped inside their own half.