AmaZulu will be hoping to seal their place in next season’s MTN8 when they welcome Orlando Pirates to Moses Mabhida Stadium this afternoon.
Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm in what promises to be one of the most pivotal Premiership matches of the final weekend.
Usuthu currently sit in sixth position with 34 points from 27 matches.
With the battle for top-eight spots going down to the wire, Arthur Zwane’s side know a point could be enough to secure their place – but a victory would remove any doubt.
They come into the game off a three-week break, having last played in a 1-1 draw against Polokwane City earlier this month.
That extended rest means AmaZulu will be the fresher side, but Zwane is cautious about reading too much into that.
“It’s actually an advantage for them and a disadvantage to us because with the number of games they’ve played, there’s chemistry there – and that makes them a very difficult team to beat,” said Zwane.
“As much as they have played a lot of games, it’s going to be important to plan the right way to be able to capitalise on that fatigue, but that doesn’t guarantee anything.
“They’re a professional side that know how to refresh and recharge their players to be ready for this game.”
AmaZulu will have to be wary of a Pirates outfit still adjusting to life after Jose Riveiro, who recently left the club permanently.
Under interim coach Mandla Ncikazi, the Buccaneers have taken four points from two league games – a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy followed by a 1-0 win over SuperSport United on Tuesday.
Pirates are second on the table with 59 points from 26 matches, and have two more league fixtures remaining, including this one.
With Mamelodi Sundowns having already secured the title, the Soweto giants have also moved to consolidate their CAF Champions League qualification spot in recent matches and finish the season on a high.
They’ll also be returning to Moses Mabhida Stadium for the first time since their Nedbank Cup semi-final defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, a loss that denied them a chance to defend the trophy.
19 – Orlando Pirates have now won 19 league games this season, their outright most ever in a PSL campaign. Optimism. pic.twitter.com/GCUi3mEDTs
— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) May 20, 2025
The trip back to Durban will no doubt stir memories for some in the squad, who are now under pressure to impress with a new permanent coach expected in the off-season.
It’s been a long campaign for Pirates, who have played 50 games in all competitions.
At times, fatigue has been visible, but the depth in their squad has allowed them to remain competitive.
AmaZulu, in contrast, have played fewer than half that number, and will need to make that freshness count if they’re to claim all three points.
With Usuthu pushing for a top-eight finish and Pirates looking to tighten their grip on second place, today’s clash is about more than just pride – it’s a game with major implications on both ends of the table.
