LIVE | Orlando Pirates vs TS Galaxy

Orlando Pirates take their Betway Premiership campaign on the road again as they travel for a crucial clash against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

The Mpumalanga capital is the last stop for the Buccaneers ahead of the first FIFA international break of 2026, and will provide the setting for yet another must-win encounter.

They take on an equally determined Rockets outfit, desperate to get their own campaign back on track with the season drawing to a close.

Trips to Mbombela have rarely followed a script, but the Soweto giants’ mission remains the same as they look to build winning momentum in a crucial phase of the campaign.

The Opposition

Throughout the second half of the season, Galaxy have juggled participation in two separate competitions, extending their Nedbank Cup run while also gunning for a top-eight finish in the Betway Premiership.

They navigate the remainder of the season spurred on by the prospect of securing a spot in continental football, and that could manifest through consistent results in either competition.

While they have found some consistency in the league, it has not been the desired kind as they go into their clash against Orlando Pirates with only one point collected in their last six fixtures.

It was through a stalemate in their most recent outing that they ended a five match losing streak where they had netted a solitary goal before holding Stellenbosch to a 1-1 draw at Danie Craven Stadium last Friday.

This poor run of results has taken them from the verge of being counted among the league title contenders in fifth place to battling for a spot in the top half of the table as they currently sit in ninth with just 25 points earned in 21 matches.

The bulk of their points have been collected on home soil, where they have won five of their nine league games and recorded one draw alongside three defeats.

Having lost each of their last two home fixtures, Galaxy have been dealt another blow in the form of striker Victor Letsoalo’s unavailability for Sunday’s game.

The veteran attacker picked up a yellow card against Stellenbosch – his fourth of the season – triggering a one-match suspension.

Bucs Team News

Locked in an enthralling race for the league title, Orlando Pirates could finish the week back on the summit should they return to winning ways in Mbombela.

This is after a disappointing result in their most recent fixture, where they fought from a goal down against the visiting Siwelele before settling for a point at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

It was their first stalemate at home this season and a frustrating outcome that saw them lose their grip on top spot, slipping down to second place with only nine games left to play this season.

However, only two points lie between them and a return to the summit, a feat they can achieve by extending their unbeaten run on the road.

The Buccaneers have gone nine matches since their last away league defeat which dates back to the opening month of the 2025/26 season.

They have clinched 23 out of an available 30 points on their travels, with nine of those collected through consecutive wins against AmaZulu, Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City.

A win in their last fixture before the upcoming league hiatus will edge them back on top of the standings heading into the FIFA break.

They however will have to navigate the trip to Mpumalanga without Tapelo Xoki and Sihle Nduli who both remain sidelined, while midfielder Selaelo Rasebotja nears a return to action after resuming full training.

Head-to-Head

Orlando Pirates head to Mbombela looking for a win that will bag them their first league double over Galaxy since the 2022/23 season.

This is after clinching a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture played at the Orlando Amstel Arena, where Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa both got on the scoresheet.

While the Rockets have proven to be a stubborn opponent, the Buccaneers have managed to get over the line more often than not and have emerged on the winning side in six of the 11 previous encounters between the two sides while falling on the losing side just three times.

Each of the five matches played in Mbombela have produced a winner, with the home side slightly edging things with three victories to the Soweto Giants’ two.

In terms of goals scored in the fixture, Orlando Pirates are well ahead with 13 scored while their defence have only been breached six times.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

The game is scheduled to get underway at 15:30 and will be televised live on SuperSport PSL and SABC 1.

Prediction

TS Galaxy 1-2 Orlando Pirates