Durban City FC midfielder Thabo Nodada has given a fascinating take on the Betway Premiership title deciding clash with Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon.
The KZN-based side will travel to Orlando Amstel Arena to visit Pirates, who are gunning for maximum points to clinch the league title and end Mamelodi Sundowns’ eight-season dominance.
Pirates are on the verge of ending their long Premiership drought, having last tasted league glory back in 2012. The Sea Robbers have enjoyed an exceptional 2025/26 campaign under the stewardship of Abdeslam Ouaddou, who took over the hot seat in July 2025.
The Soweto giants have given Sundowns a serious run for their money in a relentless title chase. Pirates are now just one step away from dethroning the Brazilians, with a victory against Durban City at a sold-out Orlando Amstel Arena securing the championship. A win this afternoon will see the Buccaneers clinch the title with a game to spare, courtesy of their superior goal difference.
Ouaddou’s men welcome Durban City in devastating form, having been absolutely ruthless in front of goal over the past few weeks with thumping 6-0 and 5-0 victories against TS Galaxy and Golden Arrows, respectively.
Furthermore, Durban City head into the Orlando cauldron with plenty of wind in their sails, looking to solidify their place in the top eight just days after being crowned the newly minted Nedbank Cup champions.
WHAT NODADA SAID ABOUT TITLE DECIDING CLASH WITH PIRATES
With the Farook Kadodia-owned side aiming for a big upset against Pirates, Nodada admitted that facing the Houghton-based side will be a tough task, especially in front of their home fans.
“We are not going to enjoy that game, I saw a record that the stadium is sold out on a Tuesday,” Nodada said, speaking to the media in Durban.
Reflecting on his past encounters against Pirates during his tenure at Cape Town City FC, Nodada noted that he remains winless against the Soweto giants, recalling that his best results against them were stalemates.
“We only drew with them,” Nodada remarked. “So, to be in the position we find ourselves in now [to decide the title destination as Durban City], you ask yourself, why us?
“Why do we come straight from winning the Nedbank Cup final, only to immediately have a hand in deciding a title race that is so far out of our own reach? Look, it’s a game of football, it’s 90 minutes. We will go there and give our absolute best, and if our best happens to be better than their best, then good luck to them.”
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