Chippa meets Pirates at a wrong time

This weekend’s football games include the one between Chippa United and Orlando Pirates, which will be eagerly watched by football fans.

The DStv Premiership game between the two sides will take place on Saturday after 5pm at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This season, the Eastern Cape football team is facing possible relegation once more.

Its inability to win games is a liability. Its inability to accumulate total points quickly is what has led to its current precarious position. When Chippa United won four straight games under Morgan Mammila last year, there was cause for optimism, but that flame was put out.

After defeating Pirates 1-0 in the first game, they will host them in the hopes of winning again. Unfortunately, after winning a number of games, Chippa meets a determined Pirates team. Their pursuit of second place in the DStv Premiership, which would allow them to re-join the CAF Champions League, is what spurs them on to victory. The three points are crucial for them [Pirates], who are tied with SuperSport United. Kaizer Chiefs are also vying for second place, trailing Mamelodi Sundowns, who are already champions and have several games remaining.

José Riveiro emphasised the significance of finishing second this season after Pirates defeated Richards Bay 2-0 last week.

He said this after Pirates won nine of their last 12 games.

“The way the team plays are improving, but we are still a long way from where we want it to be,” Rivero remarked after the game.

Despite being in second position, the Buccaneers are tied with other teams in terms of points. “Whichever team is currently in second position does not matter. We know what it takes. Our goal is to finish second and return to the CAF Champions League. We will fight for it till the end of the season,” Riveiro stated.

Chippa and Pirates must play to win. The game will be challenging as a result, but Chippa is in serious trouble because if it loses, teams below it could catch them.

DStv Premiership fixtures:

Saturday: Richards Bay vs Golden Arrows @King Zwelithini Stadium, 15:00; Chippa United vs Orlando Pirates @Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 17:30; Sekhukhune United vs Maritzburg United @Peter Mokaba Stadium, 17:30; Kaizer Chiefs vs Marumo Gallants @FNB Stadium, 20:00.

Sunday: Royal Am vs Stellenbosch @Chatworth Stadium, 15:00; Swallows FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns @Dobsonville Stadium, 15:00; Cape Town City vs AmaZulu @Cape Town Stadium, 17:30.