2024/25 Betway Premiership
Matchday 28
Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates
FNB Stadium
Johannesburg, South Africa
Saturday, 3 May 2025
Kick-off is at 15h00
The
106th Soweto derby will take on extra significance as Kaizer Chiefs look to put a serious dent in Orlando Pirates' title challenge at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, May 3.
The Buccaneers will be focusing all their efforts on the Betway Premiership after falling to Pyramids in the CAF Champions League semi-finals on April 26.
Jose Riveiro's side trail Mamelodi Sundowns by nine points in second place with two games in hand, but that gap could be reduced to six when they face Sekhukhune United on April 30 in the first catch-up match.
Pirates haven't played in the league since they beat Polokwane City 1-0 on April 5 which extended their unbeaten run to four outings and saw them collect 10 points in the process.
Amakhosi (9th) have dropped out of the top eight after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Marumo Gallants on April 26 - their third loss in five games.
A run of two wins from their last 10 encounters means that Nasreddine Nabi's side are out of contention for African football as they sit 11 points adrift of Babina Noko (3rd) with just nine left to play for.
To make matters worse, the Glamour Boys haven't had the Soweto bragging rights in their last three meetings with the Sea Robbers, who ran out 1-0 victors in the reverse fixture on February 1 to make it a hat-trick of wins.
Nabi expressed his concern that Chiefs are no longer playing the same way they were earlier in the season and admits they could miss out on qualifying for the MTN 8.
"Unfortunately the situation is very bad and we have to accept it, no excuses," the Tunisian said. "The most worrying thing is not the result. We have even lost our way of playing. That is even more concerning.
"We were not our best (against Gallants). The most important thing is the result and the result is not in our favour and we are in a very difficult position today. Our log standing is not very good."
Riveiro, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season, believes the future is looking bright at Mayfair given the emergence of the younger players like Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota.
"Like I said before we started the competition before we started the group stage, I said we come to the Champions League with an intention to grow as a group, football players and the coach, nobody among ourselves having experience in this competition before, playing regularly with very young players," the Spaniard said.
"I think it's fantastic for the future, especially for the future of our young players who are already important players at 19/20 years old, although they have a lot of things to improve and to keep proving that they are at the level and it's very good news for the club as well because the future is looking bright for Orlando Pirates."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)
Matches - 5
Chiefs wins - 2
Pirates wins - 3
Draws - 0
Betway Premiership Matchday 28 fixtures:
Friday, May 2
19h30: AmaZulu v Polokwane City
Saturday, May 3
15h00: Golden Arrows v Stellenbosch
15h00: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates
17h30: SuperSport United v Chippa United
20h00: Cape Town City v Mamelodi Sundowns
20h00: Magesi v Sekhukhune United
Sunday, May 4
15h00: TS Galaxy v Richards Bay
Bet on the Betway Premiership at Betway
Kick off your sports betting journey & place a winning bet with our exciting Sports Welcome Offer where you’ll get up to R1,000 as a Free Bet when you make your first deposit.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.