Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Where DStv Premiership Match Will Be Won and Lost

• Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will renew hostilities on Saturday afternoon
• The Buccaneers have been suffering at the hands of the Brazilians in the DStv Premiership in recent seasons
• SuperSport analysts Phumudzo Manenzhe and Stanton Fredericks broke down what factors will influence the blockbusting encounter

Mamelodi Sundowns is thundering towards a sixth consecutive DStv Premiership title.

Of this, there is no dispute as they prepare to march into Orlando from the nation's capital to take on a resurgent Orlando Pirates team. Apart from thumping their visitors 3-0 in a second-leg MTN 8 Wafa Wafa encounter in Polokwane last October, the hosts have been subjected to grief by the defending league champions. This was Pirates' only win against Sundowns in the 2020s thus far, a pitiful sole victory out of 10 matches.

Respected SuperSport pundits Phumudzo Manenzhe and Stanton Fredericks, former Bucs players themselves, offered their thoughts about the much-anticipated encounter.

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Sundowns are in first place on 52 points after 20 matches, a staggering 22 points ahead of Richards Bay FC in second place. Pirates, who have suddenly turned red-hot in front of goals, lie in fourth place on 29 points after 18 matches.

Sundowns need only 14 points in their remaining 10 games to reach 66 points, which would be enough to douse Pirate's faded hopes of winning the league mathematically.

Break-ins and burglaries ruin Sundowns match

Some of the spectators who attended the DStv Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United last Saturday had their day soured.

They reportedly returned to their vehicles to find they had either been broken into and burglarised, or vandalised by miscreants who were on the prowl outside Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane. A video on Twitter near the venue showed these cars in various states of disrepair.

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From what Sports Brief observed, the main targeted vehicle make was Volkswagen, which has a roaring black market trade for parts across the country.

Mahlangu suggests Financial Fair Play

Mamelodi Sundowns supporters are not bothered by Jabu Mahlangu's opinion.

The legendary former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder expressed his concerns about the club's total domination of South African football.

Citing the infamous Financial Fair Play as a possible solution, Mahlangu believes this will see the standard of the Premier Soccer League improve and assist Bafana Bafana in the long run.