Orlando Pirates have selection dilemmas to consider before their weekend battle with Sundowns. Are Tito Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng candidates to start?
Midfield playmaker Maswanganyi has been on the fringes this season, but did start a recent league match against Polokwane.
Here’s how the Buccaneers could line up.
Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates: Date, kickoff time, how to watch
Orlando Pirates see off Magesi to reach another semi-final
Pirates suffered a late scare to secure their place in the Telkom Knockout semis with a 2-1 win over Magesi. That came courtesy of great strikes from Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa. Next up is a clash with the league leaders and champions. Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates kicks off at 15:30 on Saturday, 1 November and will be on DSTV channel 202.
Pirates starting XI in their 2-1 win over Magesi: Chaine; Lebitso, Seema, Mbokazi, Ndaba; Dansin, Nemtajela; Appollis, Maswanganyi, Moremi; Mbuthuma.
Report: Moremi and Makgopa’s stunners send Pirates into CKO semis
Predicted Pirates XI vs Sundowns
Relebohile Mofokeng, Tapolo Xoki and Deano van Rooyen were all absent for Pirates’ 2-1 win over Magesi. All three face late fitness tests before the Sundowns clash. Thabiso Sesane and Selaelo Rasebotja will certainly miss out altogether as they continue to fight for full fitness after injuries.
“There are no fresh injury concerns despite a highly physical clash on Saturday, while the likes of Selaelo Rasebotja and Thabiso Sesane continue to work their way back to full fitness after their injury spells,” the club said before their 2-1 win over Magesi in the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals.
Potential Pirates XI vs Sundowns: Chaine; Sebelebele, Seema, Mbokazi, Ndaba; Nduli, Mbatha; Appollis, Maswanganyi, Moremi; Makgopa.
Orlando Pirates news wrap: Makgopa’s mettle, Foster regrets
Ex-Orlando Pirates man Foster is flying in the Premier League
Pirates cashed in on Lyle Foster when he was still a raw, talented teenager, selling him to Ligue 1’s Monaco for €1.2m (R24m) in 2019. They probably didn’t expect his price tag to inflate as much as it did. Foster is now the most expensive South African player in history after an €11m (R220m) move from Belgian side Westerlo to Burnley in 2023. It’s easy to imagine that he could fetch an even bigger fee if the Clarets sell him in a couple of years.
