Pirates ‘out for revenge‘ against plucky United

Chumani Bambani SOCCER REPORTER

SOWETO giants Orlando Pirates have been dealt a big blow ahead of tonight‘s clash against Bay United at the Johannesburg Stadium.

In a shock turnaround of events after announcing on Thursday that the club had secured the services of Bafana Bafana midfielder Lance Davids, it emerged yesterday that the former Swedish Djugardens IF club player had other plans as he signed for PSL rivals SuperSport United.

“Lance is no longer coming to the club as he has been snatched by SuperSport. There is nothing we can do about that,” said Pirates public relations officer Mickey Modisane.

This news, however, will not dampen the spirits of the Buccaneers, who will be gunning for vengeance from Umlilo after a defeat in their first meeting in September last year.

“We will be out for revenge, but it will without a doubt be a good and tough game,” said Modisane.

“We may be without four of our main players, but we have equally capable individuals to replace them,” he added.

Pirates will be without Teko Modise, Lucas Thwala, Moeneeb Josephs (all serving suspensions) and Benson Mhlongo, who is out of contention for a month with a broken finger.

Coach Rudi Krol should not have any difficulty finding replacements in his squad, with the likes of Happy Jele and Thembile Kanono up for the challenge.

United will be happy to have captain Duran Francis available for the fixture. The defender has been fighting flu this week, but is fit to play tonight.

In-form players Zamuxolo Ngalo, Francis and Gareth Ncaca, together with the experience of Cyril Nzama and Patrick Mayo, will prove vital in the quest by Khabo Zondo‘s side to maintain their good form as well as survival in the premier league.

United fans will be hoping that shot-stopper Arthur Bartman, arguably one of the best keepers this season, will also be at the top of his game once more. He has rescued the Port Elizabeth side on numerous occasions so far.

New signing Jean Njoh, who made his debut last weekend and is likely to get another run against Pirates, will be looking to open his goals account against the Buccaneers today.

It will also remain to be seen if the other new United signings, Bulelani Matroos and Nhlanhla Vilakazi, will feature in the Johannesburg Stadium clash.

It is a pity that former Pirates player and now United ace winger Luntu Mazana, who was instrumental in Umlilo‘s victory over Pirates last year with a blinder of a goal, will not be part of the game as he is still nursing an injury.

Three points for Zondo‘s side will go a long way in avoiding the bottom of the table, as both fellow strugglers Bloemfontein Celtic and Maritzburg United seem to be also still finding their feet, while a victory for Pirates will help the Soweto side edge closer to topping the table standings in their bid for the PSL title.

The match kicks off at 8pm and will be screened live on SABC1.

The other PSL fixtures for the weekend are:

Today: Ajax Cape Town v Kaizer Chiefs at Athlone Stadium; Free State Stars v Bidvest Wits at Goble Park; Platinum Stars v Golden Arrows at Mmabatho Stadium.

(All kick off at 3.30pm)

Tomorrow: Thanda Royal Zulu v AmaZulu at Mpumalanga Stadium (kick-off at 3.30pm).