Orlando Pirates will be keen to banish the demons of their Carling Knockout defeat when they return to the bread and butter of the Betway Premiership.
Pirates get some positive news on the injury front
Olisa Ndah, Thalente Mbatha, Bandile Shandu, Tapelo Xoki, Goodman Mosele, Zakhele Lepasa, Thabiso Lebitso, Sandile Mthethwa and Ethan Visagie are all currently unavailable to Jose Riveiro. Midfield duo Makhehlene Makhaula and Miguel Timm were absent for the team’s shock Carling Knockout defeat to Magesi but they’re in line to return against Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport side on Tuesday.
Next six fixtures for Jose Riveiro’s side
After a surprise defeat to Magesi in the Carling Knockout, Pirates must dust themselves down and get back to basics in the Betway Premiership. They’ve also got some enticing Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon.
- AmaZulu (H) – 25 October, 19:30 kickoff
- TS Galaxy (A) – 29 October, 19:30 kickoff
- Stellenbosch (H) – 10 November, 15:30 kickoff
- Belouizdad (A) – 26 November, kickoff time TBC
- Gallants (A) – 03 December, 19:30 kickoff
- Al Ahly (H) – 06 December, kickoff time TBC
Rele Mofokeng headlines a large Bafana contingent at Orlando Pirates
Even with Thalente Mbatha missing the two recent clashes with Congo, Hugo Broos will lean heavily on the Orlando Pirates players in his squad. Sipho Chaine is a strong backup goalkeeping option although he started against South Sudan. Talented 24-year-old operator Thabiso Sesane is enjoying a storming start to the season in the centre of defence for the Buccaneers and is now a viable option for his country too. Teenager Mofokeng will be a star for club and country for many years and there’s also the option of talented left-footed Patrick Maswanganyi. Central defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will also fancy his chances of forcing his way back into the Bafana side if he can do so for Pirates. New signing Deano van Rooyen will also be a candidate for the right-back slot for Bafana before long. There’s also the curious situation with Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
How would you line up the Pirates side against SuperSport?
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