Billy Cooper
ORLANDO Pirates have a chance to repair their crumbling league season on Sunday at home against Bloemfontein Celtic.
After being held 1-1 by Maritzburg United at Orlando stadium on Wednesday night, Pirates’ steady slide down the Premier League continued. They have scored only 11 goals in 13 matches, and now lie sixth.
Adding extra spice to this clash is the fact that Celtic coach Owen da Gama was in charge of Bucs before current boss Ruud Krol took over.
Pirates also have a number of former Celtic players in their ranks, among them striker Gert Schalkwyk, midfielder Lebogang Mothi banthwa and defender Mzondi Mthombeni.
Mthombeni has been on the fringes of Krol’s squad and will be especially keen to get a run against his former club. Krol is likely to continue with Botswana midfielder Phenyo Mongala and rookie striker Ndumiso Mabena alongside Katlego Mashego.
One of Da Gama’s key players is former Bucs midfielder Tlou Segolela. But Da Gama’s best signing this season has been Prince Olomu from Free State Stars. The Nigerian midfielder has been a revelation with Celtic and scored his ninth goal in the 1-1 draw away to Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
In Sunday’s other fixture, Mpumalanga Black Aces, who drew 3-3 with Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday, face second-placed Ajax Cape Town at the Ackerville stadium.
Mamelodi Sundowns, who appear to be back in business after wins over Jomo Cosmos and Moroka Swallows, face a tricky trip to the Chatsworth stadium in Durban, where they meet draw specialists Arrows tomorrow.
Arrows have drawn nine of their 13 league matches with only one win. After crushing Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in the Top 8 final, they need to show that same aggression in the league if they are to test Sundowns.
Chiefs travel to QwaQwa on Saturday to meet Free State Stars, who scored a 1-0 win over Amazulu to ease their relegation fears on Wednesday.
In another clash tomorrow night, bottom club Cosmos will be desperate for points when they host Swallows at the Rand stadium.
Supersport play struggling Amazulu at Loftus tomorrow in a game that United coach Gavin Hunt said would be “another bun fight”. United had to wait until the last minute for a Daine Klate goal to earn a 1-1 draw against Platinum Stars at the Super stadium on Wednesday. — Sapa
