Orlando Pirates seek to extend long unbeaten run to close in on record

[p]It is their longest unbeaten stretch since they went a PSL-era club-record 27 games without defeat (W14 D13) during the 2018/19 season, which was finally ended by a 2-0 loss to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/esperance-tunis/bVINpDMl/"]Espérance[/a] in the CAF Champions League.[/p][p]The league champions last tasted defeat in their current run in a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/mamelodi-sundowns-lxZ6Bzh6/orlando-pirates-p4SF9EMI/?mid=YLIQ95re"]2-1[/a] home loss to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mamelodi-sundowns/lxZ6Bzh6/"]Mamelodi Sundowns[/a] on February 18, almost seven months ago, in what has been a golden period for the club’s fans.[/p][p]They did lose to Casric Stars (now Real Native) on penalties in the Nedbank Cup in the following game, but the tie finished [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/orlando-pirates-p4SF9EMI/real-native-vXSqpa1T/?mid=AJ4lMD7b"]0-0[/a] and is recorded as a draw.[/p][p]They have won 17 and drawn seven of the 24 games since, and will be expected to continue that run at home to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/durban-city/jVI6SFig/"]City[/a] as they look to close the gap on Sundowns at the top of the table.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/orlando-pirates/p4SF9EMI/"]Pirates[/a] currently trail by seven points but have three games in hand.[/p][embed guid="b677c3a8-a531-40fb-954d-07e60b5a9b74" url="https://x.com/orlandopirates/status/2099162757765493116?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]That Sundowns loss remains their only defeat since a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/orlando-pirates-p4SF9EMI/st-eloi-lupopo-IVLgRZlm/?mid=OQXiXAg4"]3-0[/a] reversal at DR Congo side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/st-eloi-lupopo/IVLgRZlm/"]St Eloi Lupopo[/a] in the CAF Champions League some 40 games ago (W30 D9).[/p][p]Pirates started last season with back-to-back losses in the league but went on to claim the Betway Premiership title, MTN8 trophy and Carling Knockout in a stunning season for the Buccaneers.[/p][p]They will view upcoming matches against City, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/marumo-gallants/Gnghzo3C/"]Gallants[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/african-stars/zsPjekRm/"]African Stars[/a] (twice in the CAF Champions League) and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ts-galaxy/KUDSx8jo/"]TS Galaxy[/a] as very winnable too, before they meet [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kaizer-chiefs/fFZ2CGx0/"]Kaizer Chiefs[/a] in the first Soweto Derby of the season on October 31.[/p]