Cape Town - Eight CAF Confederations Cup fixtures, one MTN8, six Absa Premiership fixtures and two Telkom Knockout ties played so far for Orlando Pirates.

It’s only October but Pirates have already notched an unbelievable seventeen matches in all competitions this season, according to the Buccaneers official website.

The Buccaneers are well ahead of the pack in terms of official matches played; and it doesn’t look like the schedule will get better anytime soon.

Rivals Kaizer Chiefs come a close second having played 14 matches, while Golden Arrows, who Pirates face on Wednesday, October 28 have only played nine matches.

Pirates booked their place into the semi-final of the Telkom Knockout Cup against Maritzburg United. This means that between now and November 21, the Buccaneers will play five tough matches.

Starting with a home league clash against Golden Arrows (October 28), Chiefs (October 31), Ajax Cape Town (November 4) and then the Glamour Boys again in the Telkom Knockout semi-final - all this before their crucial CAF Confederations Cup final against Etoile Du Sahel on November 21.

Eric Tinkler who has been in charge of 23 official league matches since taking over the reins from Vladimir Vermezovic in December 2014 and has registered eight wins for the club thus far. The club coach could take his personal tally to 10 by the end of the weekend, should the Buccaneers win both matches.

Despite holding the unwanted record of the worst start in the league by any Pirates team in over 20 years, Tinkler and his technical team will be hopeful of turning things around, starting with Arrows.

Kick-off is at 19:30.