Squads & Team News
After Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer took a weakened side to Nigeria for last week s final Caf Confederation Cup Group A match against Enyimba, the big stars are are back for the Sundowns showdown.
Captain Happy Jele, Thulani Hlatshwhayo, Deon Hotto and Frank Mhango will be returning.
But goalkeepers Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane are still out injured, a situation which saw Pirates play Enyimba without a substitute goalkeeper as reserve team goalie Elson Sithole is not registered for the Confederation Cup.
Thembinkosi Lorch is also still out injured as well as Zakhele Lepasa and DR Congo forward Jean-Marc Makusu, a situation that leaves the coach with Frank Mhango and Tshegofatso Mabaso as the only available forwards.
Squads & Team News
It is not looking good for Enyimba coach Fatai Osho who guides his troops into battle without suspended captain Austin Oladapo.
The attacking midfielder is their leading scorer in this competition with three goals from seven appearances and is out after picking his third yellow card in the 1-0 defeat by Al Ahli Benghazi last week.
Also not available for Enyimba are centre-back Nelson Ogbonnaya, Dayo Ojo and Beninese midfielder Jean-Marie Guera who are nursing injuries.
But what could be some positive news for Osho is the return of the quartet of Farouk Mohammed, Samad Kadiri, Hassan Abubakar, and Imoh Obot.
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Sandilands is now Pirates only fit keeper as Ghanaian shot-stopper Richard Ofori is still unavailable due to an injury he picked up in the reverse fixture against Setif in Ghana.
Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer pointed out that they could bring in a young keeper if Mpontshane doesn t recover in time ahead of their clash with Swallows FC on Saturday.
“The first plan was, or is with Mpontshi, I don’t know 100% now what’s happened but it doesn’t look good, Zinnabuer told the media. But we have to see what’s happened with the young keeper, then we have to improve the young keeper.