Orlando Pirates have received a major boost ahead of their clash with Richards Bay FC in the DStv Premiership on Saturday.
The match will be hosted by the Natal Rich Boyz at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.
ORLANDO PIRATES RECEIVE MAJOR BOOST AHEAD OF RICHARDS BAY CLASH
The Buccaneers have welcomed back Bandile Shandu and Goodman Mosele from injury after weeks on the sidelines.
In the absence of Shandu, Jose Riveiro preferred to utilise the left-footed Paseka Mako in the right-back position instead of Thabiso Monyane.
Meanwhile, Mosele comes back to compete with the likes of Miguel Timm, Makhehleni Makhaula and Ben Motshwari.
However, Mosele may still need to build up on his fitness after the injury lay-off .
On the other side, Richards Bay will miss the services of their number-one goalkeeper Salim Magoola.
He will sit out the second game of his two-match suspension after he received his marching orders in a match against Kaizer Chiefs.
PIRATES EYEING SECOND SPOT
The Buccaneers will be seeking maximum points as they are looking to end the season in the second position. Being runners-up would secure them a spot in the CAF Champions League next season.
Riveiro’s troops closed the gap between themselves and second-placed SuperSport United when they beat Gavin Hunt’s side with a slender 1-0 victory in their last match.
They are now two points behind the Tshwane outfit with seven games to go.
RICHARDS BAY SEEK TO TURN FORTUNES AROUND
Meanwhile, Richards Bay have had a poor run lately, failing to pick up a win in their previous eight games in all competitions. In those, they lost six and drew two.
This led to changes in the technical team with the club appointing Vasili Manousakis as the sole head coach. The restructuring also saw Pitso Dladla being demoted to the assistant coach role.
The league rookies started the season well but have struggled to keep the same run in the second round.
With Manousakis in charge now, they will be looking to take an upturn in form to end the season on a high.
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