Orlando Pirates get their season under way against Milford FC on Saturday, with the newcomers making the trip to Orlando Amstel Arena for their first-ever competitive meeting with the Buccaneers.
Pirates arrive as reigning champions off the back of a historic domestic treble under Abdeslam Ouaddou, having ended a 14-year wait for the league title with a club-record 21 wins from 30 matches.
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Milford topped their promotion play-off group to earn a place in the top flight, but few openers come tougher than a visit to the champions in front of the Ghost.
Pirates finished last season unbeaten in their final 13 league matches and shut out four straight opponents down the stretch, while Milford’s own route up was built on similarly tight defending.
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With no prior meetings to go on, the gap in experience should prove decisive. Expect a controlled, low-scoring afternoon at Orlando Amstel Arena, with the hosts favoured to start the new campaign on the front foot.
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