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Bucs out to boost CAFCL hopes with Richards Bay win

football10 May 2024 14:10| © Backpage TXT
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Tshegofatso Mabasa © Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates will be keen to maintain their winning form in the DStv Premiership when they host Richards Bay at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 8pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

The Buccaneers made it seven wins in a row across all competitions when they secured a 2-0 victory over Chippa United at home on 8 May and it was also their fifth successive league victory.

Pirates find themselves placed third in the DStv Premiership standings - a point behind second-placed Stellenbosch FC and a CAF Champions League spot is at stake with three matches left.

Meanwhile, Richards Bay are undefeated in their last two competitive matches having drawn 0-0 with Polokwane City away on 8 May having registered a win and a draw.

The Natal Rich Boys are occupying the relegation playoff spot (15th) in the DStv Premiership - five points from safety and six points above 16th-placed Cape Town Spurs with three games left.

TEAM NEWS

Pirates will be without Thalente Mbatha as the SuperSport United loanee is suspended after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season against Chippa.

Richards Bay, on the other hand, will be missing Tercious Malepe as the former Pirates defender is also suspended collecting his fourth yellow card of the term against Polokwane.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro

"I think right now we are second on the log in terms of scoring goals, behind [Mamelodi] Sundowns, very close, so if we keep this consistency in defence, then we will continue to do well," Riveiro said.

"With Cape Town Spurs getting a victory (on Wednesday), the situation at the bottom is getting tight, so Richards Bay will come here desperate and try to collect points."

Richards Bay coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi

“I wouldn’t say [the six-point gap] gives me comfort. We are still looking at getting three points when we play Pirates,” Vilakazi said.

“We are going to play other human beings; it’s not as if we are playing robots. Anything can happen, a proper plan against them can help us in terms of making sure that we grind for the results.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates: The DStv Premiership's topscorer is in top-scoring form at the moment having netted five goals in his last five matches including a brace against Chippa.

Sanele Barns, Richards Bay: The explosive forward has proved to be the Natal Rich Boys' talisman having scored the most goals (four) and provided the most assists (four) in the league this term.

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