The mighty Sea Robbers of Orlando Pirates are expected at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night to face Stellenbosch FC at 19:30 in the Betway Premiership.
A win for the Buccaneers will leave them with 62 points, just two shy of leader Sundowns in first position.
Let’s look at coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s expected starting line up against Gavin Hunt’s Maroons.
ORLANDO PIRATES’ EXPECTED STARTING LINE UP VS STELLENBOSCH FC
At this time of the season, every head coach knows their best starting 11, especially a league-title chasing Buccaneers team.
It is become no tough task to call Ouaddou’s line ups, except when he is facing injuries or suspensions.
Orlando Pirates’ expected starting line up: Goalkeeper: Sipho Chaine, Right back: Kamogelo Sebelebele, Central defender: Nkosinathi Sibisi, Central defender: Lebone Seema, Left back: Deon Hotto, Central Midfielder: Thalente Mbatha, Central Midfielder: Masindi Nemtajela, Right Winger: Tshepang Moremi, Left Winger: Oswin Appollis, Attacking Midfielder: Relebohile Mofokeng, Striker: Yanela Mbuthuma.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM STELLIES
Stellenbosch FC find themselves in 10th place on the Betway Premiership table, with a return of eight wins, eight draws and 10 defeats from 26 matches so far.
It’s been a stop-start campaign for the Cape side, with consistency proving elusive, not helped by the demands of juggling domestic fixtures with taxing trips in the CAF Confederation Cup.
That balancing act has also come during a period of change off the pitch. Influential long-serving coach Steve Barker departed the club in November, bringing an end to a significant era, before Gavin Hunt was brought in to steady the ship and guide the team through a demanding stretch of the season.
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In cup competitions, Stellies showed their potential by reaching the MTN8 final earlier in the campaign, only to suffer a heartbreaking defeat to Orlando Pirates. Their Nedbank Cup journey also ended in frustration after a quarter-final loss to Kaizer Chiefs.
Individually, a few players have carried the load. Langelihle Phili has been a key figure in front of goal with seven league strikes, while the mid-season arrival of Tshegofatso Mabasa on loan from Orlando Pirates added further firepower, with the striker contributing four goals in nine appearances.
Devin Titus, meanwhile, continues to be the creative heartbeat of the team, weighing in with six assists to go with his own goal contributions.
With the season heading into its decisive stretch, Stellies remain hungry and firmly in the hunt for a top-eight finish, pushing to secure MTN8 qualification despite their inconsistent league form.
