Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates have announced their starting line-ups for this afternoon’s MTN8 first leg semifinal encounter at Athlone Stadium.
Following two league defeats in a row, Stellies will have to gather themselves together and battle with on-form Buccaneers in a blockbuster MTN8 semi-final clash.
The Cape Winelands side suffered a 2-1 league loss to SuperSport United last weekend and four days later they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at Athlone Stadium.
But Steve Barkers’ side will draw confidence from the fact that they already faced Pirates and beat them this season.
It might be a different territory at Athlone Stadium after that 1-0 came at Danie Craven Stadium, but they will have to put their A-game, if they are to keep their chances of reaching their first ever final in the club’s history.
Meanwhile, the defending MTN8 champions are six games unbeaten since their defeat to Stellies, scoring 16 goals in those games.
Jose Riveiro’s side have played three away games in all competitions, they’ve lost one, drew one and won one. It might be an away match for them in Cape Town but Athlone Stadium will be packed with mostly Buccaneers fans which might give them advantage.
Here is how they line up:
Stellenbosch XI: Stephens, Toure, Moloisane, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Mthethwa, Adams, Nduli, De Jong, Rayners, Sibande
Subs: Langeveldt, Mphahlele, Mcaba, Palace, Mgaga, Sekgota, Van Wyk, Oura, Boji
Pirates XI: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Shandu, Mako, Monare, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Hotto, Maswanganyi, Lepasa
Subs: Ofori, Maela, Ndah, Monyane, Timm, Otladisa, Mofokeng, Marou Erasmus
