ORLANDO Pirates will use tonight’s Absa Premiership match against relegation-threatened Chippa United to assess midfielder Oupa Manyisa’s readiness for the all-important Caf Champions League clash with TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
Manyisa has been given the all-clear after being rested when Pirates revived their slim league title hopes with a last-minute win over BidVest Wits, converted by Sifiso Myeni in Mbombela at the weekend.
He sustained a groin injury when Pirates played to a 2-2 draw with Ajax Cape Town in the Mother City early this month.
“I think we’ll use Ace (Manyisa) in the game against United for a few minutes late in the second half, we want to make sure he is ready for the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi.
“For now the focus is on the game against United, they have been doing well since Mark Harrison took over as coach two weeks ago. They are still to lose under him, which is a clear indication they won’t be an easy opposition.
“Everybody is excited in the camp after we beat Wits to get our challenge for the league back on track, the fact that Chiefs and Platinum Stars were able to play to a goalless draw is good news for us.
“We believe we are still in with a chance to successfully defend the league but we’ll have to consistently win our matches. We also want to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo in high spirits after beating Chippa.”
Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi said: “After the win over Wits, there is no turning back. We want to promise our supporters that we will do everything in our power to keep the title in Parktown.
“As for United, they owe us big time after drawing with us in the first round when we fielded a second-string team ahead of the Soweto derby against Chiefs. We will be ruthless this time round because most of our guys are available.”
Veteran United midfielder Brent Carelse said: “This is going to be an exciting one, Pirates want the league title again and we are fighting hard to get out of the relegation zone. We will provide one or two shocks in this game. There is no way we will go back home empty-handed.”
Under Harrison, The Chilli Boyz beat Moroka Swallows 2-1, registered draws against Platinum Stars, Ajax and Pirates, prior to beating Wits, they played six consecutive draws in the league. The bad news for Pirates is they will be minus suspended Happy Jele, which is offset by Daine Klate’s return from suspension.
Fixtures are: Today: Pirates v Chippa United (Orlando Stadium), Sundowns v Free State Stars (Loftus Stadium).
Tomorrow: Ajax CT v Chiefs (Cape Town Stadium), UPE v Wits (Tuks Stadium), Swallows v Arrows (Dobsonville Stadium), AmaZulu v Leopards (Princess Magogo Stadium), Platinum v Maritzburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Celtic v SuperSport (Free State Stadium).
Spotlight to fall on Bucs’ Ace in pack
Manyisa has been given the all-clear after being rested when Pirates revived their slim league title hopes with a last-minute win over BidVest Wits, converted by Sifiso Myeni in Mbombela at the weekend.
He sustained a groin injury when Pirates played to a 2-2 draw with Ajax Cape Town in the Mother City early this month.
“I think we’ll use Ace (Manyisa) in the game against United for a few minutes late in the second half, we want to make sure he is ready for the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi.
“For now the focus is on the game against United, they have been doing well since Mark Harrison took over as coach two weeks ago. They are still to lose under him, which is a clear indication they won’t be an easy opposition.
“Everybody is excited in the camp after we beat Wits to get our challenge for the league back on track, the fact that Chiefs and Platinum Stars were able to play to a goalless draw is good news for us.
“We believe we are still in with a chance to successfully defend the league but we’ll have to consistently win our matches. We also want to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo in high spirits after beating Chippa.”
Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi said: “After the win over Wits, there is no turning back. We want to promise our supporters that we will do everything in our power to keep the title in Parktown.
“As for United, they owe us big time after drawing with us in the first round when we fielded a second-string team ahead of the Soweto derby against Chiefs. We will be ruthless this time round because most of our guys are available.”
Veteran United midfielder Brent Carelse said: “This is going to be an exciting one, Pirates want the league title again and we are fighting hard to get out of the relegation zone. We will provide one or two shocks in this game. There is no way we will go back home empty-handed.”
Under Harrison, The Chilli Boyz beat Moroka Swallows 2-1, registered draws against Platinum Stars, Ajax and Pirates, prior to beating Wits, they played six consecutive draws in the league. The bad news for Pirates is they will be minus suspended Happy Jele, which is offset by Daine Klate’s return from suspension.
Fixtures are: Today: Pirates v Chippa United (Orlando Stadium), Sundowns v Free State Stars (Loftus Stadium).
Tomorrow: Ajax CT v Chiefs (Cape Town Stadium), UPE v Wits (Tuks Stadium), Swallows v Arrows (Dobsonville Stadium), AmaZulu v Leopards (Princess Magogo Stadium), Platinum v Maritzburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Celtic v SuperSport (Free State Stadium).
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