Sekhukhune acid test awaits coach Abdeslam Ouaddou after taking over Orlando Pirates' ship

Orlando Pirates embark on their first Betway Premiership season under the leadership of Abdeslam Ouaddou on Saturday at the iconic Orlando Stadium (kick-off at 5:30 pm).

They will face a challenging match against the formidable Sekhukhune United in what promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams coming off MTN8 victories last weekend.

Pirates showcased their prowess by defeating Polokwane City 2-0 in their quarter-final at Orlando Stadium. New signing Oswin Appolis impressed against his former club, not only scoring a goal but also winning a penalty, which Patrick Maswanganyi converted to double the lead.

Ouaddou will be eager to begin his first Premiership campaign in style and make a significant impact from the outset.

Sekhukhune, meanwhile, are riding high after a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over TS Galaxy in their quarter-final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. New acquisition Bradley Grobler was the standout performer, netting a brace before Vusimuzi Mncube sealed the victory in the 69th minute.

With momentum firmly on their side, Sekhukhune are aiming for a top-three finish and a coveted spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Reflecting on his first league game in charge, Ouaddou acknowledged the weight of expectations that come with managing a club of Pirates’ stature.

“I know the expectations from the fans and the board, and I will do my best to meet those targets,” he said. “The players have done an incredible job over the last three years. Let’s keep pushing forward; we have a big challenge ahead this season.”

Meanwhile, Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler is determined to elevate his side after back-to-back fourth-place finishes. He has set an ambitious target of 50 points for this season — a mark the club has never reached.

“We’ve finished fourth twice in a row, just missing out on the CAF Confederation Cup,” Tinkler said.

“This season, we aren’t just looking to crack the top three; we want to achieve a specific number of points. The club has never exceeded 50 points. Can we break that barrier? That would show we’re progressing.”

Following his sensational debut in the MTN8, Appolis is expected to carry his momentum into the Premiership season. His blistering pace and clinical finishing will pose a serious challenge to the Sekhukhune defence, which looked shaky after conceding two early goals last weekend.

Pirates will look to exploit any vulnerabilities. Sihle Nduli dominated the midfield against Polokwane, while Sipho Mbule, recently transferred from Mamelodi Sundowns, played a key role with his incisive passing. Mbule will be especially motivated to shine against Sekhukhune — the club where he had an unhappy loan spell last season, which became unsustainable after Tinkler took charge.

On the other end, veteran striker Bradley Grobler is chasing records in his new colours. After netting a brace last weekend, the 37-year-old has now scored in an astounding 15 different PSL seasons.

Grobler needs just 11 more goals to equal Siyabonga Nomvethe’s all-time PSL goal-scoring record — a milestone that is firmly in his sights.