Absa Premiership
Teams: Orlando Pirates v Bloemfontein Celtic
Date: 03 August 2019
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Orlando Pirates will get their Absa Premiership title pursuit underway when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. The match gets underway at 18h00. Pirates finished two points behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns last season, despite having led the standings for the majority of the campaign. The Soweto giants did not mess around in the transfer market after bringing in a total of nine players, including former Celtic trio Bongani Sam, Kabelo Dlamini and Tshegofatso Mabasa. Meanwhile, Celtic sneaked in to the top eight on the last day of the season, despite all their off-the-field issues. Of the 62 times the clubs have met in the league, the Buccaneers have won 31 and Celtic 15 with 16 draws. The last time the sides met, they played to a 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium, with Celtic winning the league fixture earlier in the year 1-0.
Here's how they line up:
Pirates: 30. Sandilands, 4. Jele, 27. Ndengane, 34. Monyane, 23. Maela, 6. Motshwari, 14. Nyatama, 45. Pule, 11. Memela, 12. Shonga, 17. Mulenga. Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 19. Chabalala, 2. Mbekile, 15. Makaringe, 18. Dlamini, 7. Mhango, 8. Ndlovu.
Celtic: 31. Chaine, 22. Rikhotso, 5. Letlabika, 2. Tani, 15. Pfumbidzai, 35. Baloyi, 8. Phalane, 12. Maema, 7. Maloisane, 50. Masuku, 10. Mabena. Subs: 16. Mabokgwane, 34. Fikizolo, 20. De Jongh, 17. Ndou, 18. Mashikinya, 11. Potsane, 3. Mahashe.
