Orlando Pirates must reshuffle their midfield with a suspension against City. Fortunately, Jose Riveiro has a big squad.
Pirates must do without Makhaula
Midfield hard man Makhehlene Makhaula is suspended for Orlando Pirates’ trip to Cape Town to face City on Wednesday 08 January. This comes after an accumulation of bookings. We’ll likely see Kabeo Dlamini drafted into a withdrawn midfield role to deputise.
Upcoming fixtures for Orlando Pirates
The Buccaneers travel to Cape Town next week to take on Cape Town City. That’s the first of five tasty clashes on the horizon. A blockbuster clash with Al Ahly and Percy Tau also stands out like a sore thumb.
Bucs Flying High in Caf Champions League action
The Buccaneers are touching distance from qualification into the Caf Champions League knockout stages. They beat the Ivorian outfit Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 courtesy of goals from Relebohjile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Deon Hotto. They’re sitting pretty in Group C with two wins and two draws from four matches.
Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs looms large
Pirates have held the upper hand in recent meetings between these great Soweto rivals. The Buccaneers have won the last three meetings across all competitions, including each of the last two in the league. That stopped a curious and somewhat surprising run of five consecutive wins for Chiefs in Soweto Derby league clashes with the Sea Robbers. 1 February is a date to put in the diary.
Pirates want Appollis, but at what cost?
Orlando Pirates must cough up the money and a player to secure the services of Polokwane and Bafana winger Oswin Appollis. Polokwane has insisted fringe playmaker Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo be included in any potential deal for their talisman. 29-year-old former Marumo Gallants man Ndlondlo has only made two appearances across all competitions this term for the Sea Robbers.
Will Pirates claim the Caf Champions League crown this term?
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