The defending champions have four points from their opening two matches after beating newly promoted Milford FC 2-0 before being held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu in midweek.

With Kaizer Chiefs already on six points, Pirates cannot afford to drop too many more points early in their title defence. Chippa, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory after consecutive draws against Golden Arrows and Richards Bay.

The Chilli Boys' latest outing ended 1-1 against Richards Bay, leaving Brandon Truter's side on two points. They have shown defensive resilience but have struggled to turn promising performances into maximum points.

Sunday's fixture is officially a Chippa home game, although the club have been forced to play away from their usual base because Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and Buffalo City Stadium are undergoing pitch maintenance.

Truter believes facing the defending champions provides his players with an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the country's leading teams.

"The Pirates game represents an opportunity for us to gauge as a team where we are because we are facing the champions," Truter said.

"So, that is motivation in itself playing Pirates; that’s a motivation for the players to put their best foot forward. We are well aware of who we are facing. I mean, they are the champions.

"They have the trophy, but we also need to put our best foot forward, and we also need to shine on the day, and that is what this game represents."

Pirates, however, arrive with several fitness concerns. Evidence Makgopa is expected to miss around two months with a knee injury, while Thalente Mbatha is also sidelined. Sihle Nduli was forced off against AmaZulu and remains doubtful, with Tshepang Moremi also picking up a knock.

Ouaddou has demanded an immediate improvement from his players after their midweek setback.

"We need to wake up, some players really need to wake up quickly," he said.

"I have to give credit to (Nkosinathi) Sibisi and (Sipho) Chaine… but the other ones really need to wake up because me I don’t have time because now it’s an emergency.

"My worry is when will I recover the international players fully… Every point is important… we need quickly for our international players to land on our planet… I really need them to come to the party."

Chippa have no major confirmed injury concerns, with Stanley Nwabali, Goodman Mosele and Oswin Appollis among the key players available to Truter.

The hosts will also need to overcome a daunting recent record against Pirates. The Buccaneers have won the last five league meetings, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one, including a 2-0 victory in November 2025.

Themba Zwane reveals plans to retire at Mamelodi Sundowns