Watch VideoOrlando Pirates handed potential advantage as final away fixtures move to bigger venues

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou embraces star winger Oswin Appollis. Orlando Piratesmay have received an unexpected advantage in the closing stretch of the Betway Premiership title race after bothMagesi FC and Orbit Collegeopted to move their home fixtures against the Buccaneers to significantly larger venues. With the championship race entering its decisive weeks, Pirates’ final three league matches could now arrive under very different conditions to what many initially expected.

Magesi have spent the majority of the campaign playing their home fixtures at Seshego Stadium, a compact and often intimidating venue that has become one of the more uncomfortable away trips in the division this season. The 15,000-capacity ground, combined with its tighter pitch dimensions and intense atmosphere, has regularly disrupted opponents and helped Magesi turn matches into difficult physical contests. In fact, Magesi played their most recent home fixture there on Tuesday evening,suffering a damaging 2-1 defeat against relegation rivals Orbit College. However, for Saturday’s crucial clash against Pirates, the Limpopo side will instead host the Buccaneers at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.