Orlando Pirates vs Black Leopards: Prediction, scores, kick-off time and head-to-head
Orlando Pirates are entering a new era following the appointment of Josef Zinnbauer as their head coach. They have no choice but to hit the ground running as they take on Black Leopards in a fixture with potential ramifications in the race for the top eight.
Rhulani Mokwena may still be the man in charge on the touchline for the time being, as Zinnbauer’s work permit status is unclear at the time of writing. Nevertheless, Irvin Khoza has made a big call by giving the German the top job.
The 49-year-old squares off against Luc Eymael in his first fixture. The Belgian himself claimed to have been approached by Orlando Pirates over the head coach position earlier in his career.
“The players that he will play will perhaps be a bit different to the players Mr Mokwena was playing. I don’t think he will put a new full eleven. The players still have their qualities, their abilities, their skills, their strengths and their weaknesses,” said Eymael of Saturday’s opposite number.
“For the rest it’s only what I’m expecting from Pirates, perhaps a different tactical system, perhaps some new players in the team… players who have not been used since a certain time.”
Pirates head into the match in seventh place, one point ahead of Black Leopards in 10th. Both teams have played 13 games.
Head-to-head records
These statistics include league and cup matches dating back to the 2004-05 season.
| Records | Orlando Pirates | Black Leopards |
| Wins | 17 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Losses | 1 | 17 |
| Goals for | 40 | 9 |
| Goals against | 9 | 40 |
| Points | 52 | 4 |
Kick-off time and prediction
Kick-off time: Saturday 21 December at 15:30
Prediction: On home soil and buoyed by the arrival of their new boss, Orlando Pirates are expected to squeeze past Black Leopards.
Lidoda Duvha are a strong team, but they will not have the 12th man in the stands behind them as they do in Thohoyandou and this could be decisive. They also have a dismal record against Orlando Pirates.
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