Orlando Pirates are set to miss the key midfielder Masindi Nemtajela in a crucial Betway Premiership clash against Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Soweto giants will kick off their second round of the season with a tricky task against Sekhukhune [15;00], having sat out of the midweek action in the league.
Pirates are eager to reclaim the top spot on the Premiership and leapfrog Mamelodi Sundowns, who collected maximum points on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Orbit College FC to move to the summit of the league table with 29 points.
The Sea Robber is sitting second on the log standings after accumulating 28 points in 12 matches, and they are one point behind defending champions Sundowns. Pirates have the advantage of two games in hand, as the Brazilians have already played 14 league games thus far.
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In the first-half of the season, Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat against Babina at Orlando Stadium, a result they will be looking to avenge and walk away with all three points. The Ghosts will lock horns with Sekhukhune without the services of Nemtajela, who is one of the new players to arrive at the club in the off-season.
The talented attacking midfielder will sit out of the match against the Limpopo-based side due to a one-match suspension, having accumulated his fourth yellow card of the season in the Carling Knockout Cup final against Marumo Gallants before the 2025 AFCON break.
In the absence of the 24-year-old midfielder, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will have Patrick Maswanganyi, Kabelo Dlamini, and Sipho Mbule as options in the attacking midfield position.
Other players that will serve suspensions in this weekend’s fixtures in the Betway Premiership include Tlou Nkwe, Tebogo Potsane, and the TS Galaxy duo, Nhlanhla Mgaga, and Oupa Motaung.
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