Pirates cannot afford to get shot down by Arrows

Orlando Pirates will be hoping to put up an improved performance when they host Golden Arrows in a DStv Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium today (kick-off 5.30pm).

Pirates are without a win in their last two games. They lost 2-1 to Sekhukhune United last Saturday and that loss was followed by a 1-1 draw against Swallows in midweek.

Their recent form has somewhat dented their ambitions of finishing second in the league and qualifying for next season’s Caf Champions League.

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro (below) was previously even adamant the Buccaneers still had a chance of stopping Mamelodi Sundowns from winning their seventh consecutive league title.

But he has now conceded that toppling Sundowns at the top is a huge challenge not only for his team, but for all the teams in the DStv Premiership.

“We are going game by game, we know which ones are our objectives,” said the Spanish coach.

“It’s clear that being first in this league is a huge challenge for everyone for multiple reasons,” he added.

The Buccaneers are currently fourth on the log with 34 points after 22 games. They are tied on points with thirdplaced Sekhukhune and fifthplaced SuperSport United, but both Babina Noko and Matsatsantsa a Pitori have played a game less.

Arrows seem to have found their rhythm under new coach Steve Komphela, who replaced Mabhuti Khenyeza last month.

Komphela has yet to suffer defeat since taking over from Khenyeza. He has collected seven points out of possible nine in the league, with two wins and a draw.

The draw came in their last league match against SuperSport United, where they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday.

Arrows captain Gladwin Shitolo says his team are ready to face Pirates.

“We prepared for both games (SuperSport and Pirates) during the week so we are ready for the game against Pirates,” said Shitolo, who was a Pirates player for seven years between 2014 and 2021, having joined them from Jomo Cosmos.