Orlando Pirates will be without two crucial players in their DStv Premiership clash against Swallows which is set to take place on Friday evening [03 March].
The match will be hosted by the relegation-threatened Dube Birds at the Dobsonville Stadium and will kick-off at 19:30.
With the Buccaneers chasing the number two position, the CAF Champions League spot, they’ll be looking for nothing but a victory against Ernst Middendorp’s side.
They lost their last league game against their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs and are also seeking to get back to winning ways
Meanwhile, for Swallows, a defeat would be a drawback as it would grant Maritzburg United an opportunity to catch up with them and Marumo Gallants a chance to close the gap.
Swallows won their previous league outing, beating Chippa United 2-1 on the road.
ORLANDO PIRATES TO MISS TWO STARS IN A MATCH AGAINST SWALLOWS
The bad news for the Buccaneers is that the captain Innocent Maela and Nkosinathi Sibisi won’t be won’t be available for selection as they’re on suspension.
Maela picked up a red card in the Soweto derby last week and will be serving his first of the two suspension matches.
Sibisi will miss Swallows’ match after accumulating four yellow cards throughout the season.
Paseka Mako is likely to get a run in the absence of Maela in the left-back position while Olisa Ndah and Sandile Mthethwa are the available options to replace Sibisi.
JOSE RIVEIRO RETURNS TO THE DUGOUT
Further, Ezimnyama Ngenkani head coach Jose Riveiro will be back on the bench after serving a two-game suspension.
The Spaniard tactician had received his marching orders in a match against All Stars in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 three weeks ago.
Under Riveiro, Pirates have won 13, drawn five, and lost eight of the 26 matches they have played in all competitions.
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