Orlando Pirates and Supersport United have announced their starting line-ups for this afternoon’s DStv Premiership encounter at Orlando Pirates Stadium.
It’s over eight years since the Pirates last lost a league game to SuperSport United at home. Matsatsantsa defeated the Buccaneers by 2-1, courtesy of goals by Dino Ndlovu and Mame Niang, whiel Happy Jele scored Pirates’ solitary goal.
Without a doubt, the Buccaneers don’t want that to happen today, knowing that it would seriously dent their chances of making it to the CAF Champions League next season.
Jose Riveiro has a duty of taking the Sea Robbers back to the biggest club competition in Africa as they last participated in it in the 2019/20 season when they finished behind Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018/2019.
However, at the current moment, Ezimnyama ngenkani are five points behind second-placed SuperSport and, while a win would close that gap to two points, a SSU victory would open it to eight points with just seven matches outstanding.
Meanwhile, Matsatsantsa know their hopes of staying in the CAF Champions League spot would be boosted should they avoid defeat today.
They have a few former Sea Robbers in their ranks, with the likes of Zakhele Lepasa, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Siphesihle Ndlovu knowing Riveiro’s side very well. Lepasa has been in hot form lately and earned himself a place in the Bafana Bafana squad that will face Liberia.
Here is how they line up:
Pirates XI: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Maela, Mako, Monare, Timm, Dlamini, Saleng, Lorch, Erasmus.
Subs: Mpontshane, Monyane, Mthethwa, Ndlondlo, Makaringe, Pule, Makgopa, Hotto, Marou.
SSU XI : Goss, Ditlhokwe, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Lungu, Ndlovu, Maswanganyi, Margeman, Lepasa, Maseko, Grobler
Subs: Chigova, Nhlapo, Ngoma, Gabuza, Webber, Sibanyoni, Bhasera, Niang, Kewuti
