Orlando Pirates move Durban City fixture amid busy Champions League schedule

Orlando Pirates have confirmed that their Betway Premiership match against Durban City FC will now be played on Thursday, 17 September, a day later than originally scheduled.

The fixture had been set to take place on Wednesday, 16 September, but the Soweto club announced the change through its official platforms. The match will still be played at the Orlando Amstel Arena and is due to begin at 19:30.

Pirates said the adjustment would give the team additional preparation time and greater flexibility during a congested period of the season. The decision also takes into account the extensive travel required for the club’s continental campaign.

The Buccaneers are preparing to begin their CAF Champions League campaign, with the immediate focus now on their preliminary-round tie against La Cure Waves in Mauritius.

Pirates will travel for the first leg, which is scheduled to take place at the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex on Sunday. Kick-off is set for 13:30 South African time, with the South African side seeking a positive result away from home.

The club enters its next domestic assignment with confidence after recording a convincing 4-0 victory over Kruger United FC in its previous Betway Premiership match.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team has made a strong start to the 2026/27 campaign. Its early form also includes a closely contested 2-1 extra-time victory over Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

That result means the two sides will meet again soon, although the league encounter will now come 24 hours later than initially planned. The change allows Pirates more time to manage the demands of domestic and continental football while maintaining their preparations for the campaign ahead.

The Buccaneers will be hoping to carry their attacking efficiency and recent run of results into both competitions as they pursue a strong challenge for the domestic championship.

For now, however, the technical team’s attention is concentrated on the trip to Mauritius. Pirates will aim to establish an advantage in the first leg before the return fixture, with their Champions League ambitions beginning against La Cure Waves on Sunday afternoon.

The revised Betway Premiership date gives the club additional breathing room after the continental assignment, while the Orlando Amstel Arena remains the venue for the meeting with Durban City FC.