Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have announced their starting line-ups for this evening’s mouthwatering DStv Premiership encounter at Orlando Stadium.
It’s been four days since Pirates lost 1-0 to Morena Ramoreboli’s Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana and the Sea Robbers will look to bounce back this evening when they face red-hot Sundowns.
Pirates didn’t start the season the way they would have wanted as they after losing to Stellenbosch FC in the opening day, but they had been getting results since and only suffered the defeat in the CAF Champions League against Galaxy.
Jose Riveiro’s side will look to keep their title hopes alive this evening, but would drop to 14 points behind Rulani Mokwena’s side with a defeat, albeit having two games in hand.
Meanwhile, Sundowns have one foot in the CAFCL group stages after beating Burundian side Bamamuru by 4-0 away from home.
Downs had a perfect start of the season after winning six out of six league match to sit at the top of the table with 18 points, having gone unbeaten in 30 league matches since last year September – one more tonight and they would equal Kaizer Chiefs’ PSL record.
They’ve welcomed the likes of Peter Shalulile, Themba Zwane and Tebogo Mokoena back into their team over the weekend after they were out injured before the international break.
Sundowns have won their last six successive league meetings against Pirates, but the Buccaneers did show what they are capable of when they knocked Masandawana out of the MTN8 in the semi-final last season, beating them 3-0 in the second leg.
The last time the Buccaneers beat Masandawana in the league was in 2020 when a goal by Gabadinho Mhango sealed the tie.
Here is how they line up:
Pirates XI: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Shandu, Mako, Monare, Baloni, Saleng, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Lepasa.
Subs: Ofori, Erasmus, Mthethwa, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Makaringe, Hotto, Timm, Monyane.
Sundowns XI: Williams, Mudau, Boutouil, Mvala, Coetzee, Mokoena, Mbule, Allende, Zwane, Ribeiro, Shalulile.
Subs: D. Onyango, Lebusa, Kekana, Modiba, Zungu, Morena, Maseko, Mendieta, Nku.
