Royal AM and Orlando Pirates Collide in Straight Knockout for CAF Champions League Spot in DStv Premiership

• With the 2021-22 DStv Premiership currently in referee's optional time, Royal AM and Orlando Pirates will duke it out tonight in Durban
• There is more than a lot riding on the fixture, with a ticket to next season's CAF Champions League up for grabs
• In the clubs' only previous meeting, Thwihli Thwahla and the Buccaneers had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw last October

Royal AM and Orlando Pirates will collide in what promises to be an entertaining DStv Premiership encounter at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban.

The teams drew 1-1 in October last year in the only previous encounter between the sides, with Levy Mashiane opening the scoring for Thwihli Thwahla, before Linda Mntambo equalised for the Buccaneers.

Both teams come into the match in fine scoring form, with Royal being defeated 3-2 by Mamelodi Sundowns on Monday, while Pirates thumped Maritzburg United 4-1 on Tuesday.

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With both teams chasing a place in African competitions, preferably the CAF Champions League, the permutations are as clear as day.

The visitors (sixth, 43 points) need four points from two remaining matches (Royal AM and SuperSport United) to return to the Confederations Cup next season by finishing in third place. Two more victories and they will be guaranteed a second place finish, which will book a ticket to the much more glamorous Champions League competition.

However, if they lose to Thwihli Thwahla (fifth, 46 points), the debutants will head into that competition in only their first season of asking. A draw will confirm Cape Town City as the runners-up behind runaway winners Sundowns, with Royal coming in third, qualifying for the Confederations Cup.

Orlando Pirates keeps hope alive of finishing second in DStv Premiership with a win over Maritzburg United

Orlando Pirates got over the disappointment of losing in the CAF Confederations Cup final last Friday against RS Berkane in Uyo, Nigeria rather convincingly.

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As Sports Brief reported, the Buccaneers were almost perfect in a thumping 4-1 victory over Maritzburg United in an overdue DStv Premiership match at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday night.

Thembinkosi Lorch scored one goal and assisted for three others (Kwame Peprah, Deon Kavendji and Kabelo Dlamini), while Friday Samu pulled one back for the hapless People's Team in the high scoring encounter.