The Jose Riveiro era at Orlando Pirates gets underway against Soweto rivals Swallows in their opening DStv Premiership encounter.
Teams: Orlando Pirates v Swallows
Date: 06 August 2022
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Time: 15h00
It is definitely a new era at the Buccaneers after the club appointed the Spanish tactician, with Mandla Ncikazi taking over as his assistant.
While Fadlu Davids also left the club at the end of last season, the Buccaneers bid farewell to long-time club captain Happy Jele and Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Pirates did however bolster the squad with Miguel Timm, Eva Nga, Evidence Makgopa, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thapelo Xoki and Azola Matrose in the last couple months.
Swallows, meanwhile, managed to retain their top-flight status after winning the promotion/relegation play-offs in June.
The Dube Birds have opted to stick with Dylan Kerr who steered the team to safety, although he will not be on the bench as he awaits his work permit. Former Pirates star Musa Nyatama will take charge of the team.
While a number of key players have left the Swallows squad, the club have brought in the likes of Keeagan Allan, Waseem Isaacs and Kaizer Chiefs duo Darrel Matsheke and Lebohang Lesako.
Pirates have not lost to Swallows in the league since the latter's promotion return to the top-flight, although the Birds did claim a 2-1 win in last season's MTN8 first-round clash.
Pirates: Ofori, Xoki, Sibisi, Maela, Hotto, Monare, Mosele, Nonyane, Dlamini, Lorch, Eva Nga
Subs: Mpontshane, Ndah, Mako, Shandu, Lepasa, Tlolane, Makaringe, Motshwari, Timm
Swallows: Mbanjwa, Damons, Sasman, Sait, Khupe, Mngonyama, Mtshali, Wambi, Patjie, Isaacs
Subs: Ngobeni, Sibiya, Allan, Lukhubeni, Musonda, Mbhele, Amoojee, Mthethwa, Mtshali.
