Orlando Pirates will be eager to remain in the hunt for a second-place finish in the DStv Premiership when they travel to Richards Bay on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Teams: Richards Bay v Orlando Pirates
Date: 01 April 2023
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
Time: 15h00
Pirates boosted their chances of qualifying for the CAF Champions League after beating direct rivals SuperSport United 1-0 before the FIFA break.
The Buccaneers closed the gap behind second-placed SuperSport to just two points in third spot and could occupy second spot if they win and Matsatsantsa don't get maximum points against Chippa United immediately after their game.
As for Richards Bay, who were contenders for continental positions, they have been on a downward spiral since February, as they lost their fifth game in a row after they were hammered 4-0 by TS Galaxy prior to the international break and dropped down to sixth on the log.
The big defeat prompted the Natal Rich Boyz management to make coaching changes, as Vasili Manousakis was made the sole head coach while Pitso Dladla, who was his co-coach, was made assistant coach alongside Ronnie Gabriel.
The KwaZulu-Natal side will be without goalkeeper Salim Magoola, who will be serving his second match suspension after he was red-carded in a defeat against Chiefs.
The sides played to a goalless draw in the first round meeting.
Here's how they line up:
Richards Bay: 16. Jacobs, 38. Dlamini, 5. Mthethwa, 25. Mcineka, 34. Nyauza, 21. Mhlongo, 6. Mabaso, 5. Mbuthuma, 8. Mdabuka, 35. Mabua, 45. Ntsundwana.
Subs: 43. Boschoff, 14. Majadibodu, 2. Maphathe, 17. Mthethwa, 20. Mthembu, 27. Makateng, 8. Ochieng, 10. Msani, 15. Hlongwa.
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 27. Xoki, 23. Maela, 4. Timm, 16. Monare, 14. Saleng, 29. Mako, 18. Dlamini, 3. Lorch, 27. Dzvukamanja.
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 39. Mthethwa, 38. Ratomo, 26. Shandu, 15. Ndlondlo, 11. Makaringe, 7. Hotto, 32. Marou, 17. Makgopa.
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