• Tweet

GOOD SPIRITS: Benni McCarthy, back from suspension and ready to ground the Birds. Picture taken from www.mtnfootball.com

 Games against Birds and Wits are must-wins: Moloi reflects 

RELATED ARTICLES

• The Berlin Wall v Downs doesn't always work out
• United stay in hunt
• Big carrot for Afcon winners

The reigning league champions engage Gordon Igesund's side at Dobsonville in the original Soweto derby and kickoff is 8pm.

"That's the big one for us and it's a must-win clash for us. We will go all out to defend our title but we need to plan properly," said the man also known as "Tebza Ngwana" in soccer circles.

"Swallows' second-round league matches have a lot of historical moments for Pirates in terms of challenging for the league. I remember in 1994 when we were left with seven games our then coach Mike Makaab said the two games against Swallows and (BidVest) Wits would decide our league challenge.

"I had just returned from Turkey, I scored the only goal of the match with a header. The next match we went on to beat Wits and finished on top of the log after all the games.

"Then in 1992, we beat Swallows midweek but went on to lose 5-1 to Jomo Cosmos and that's how we missed the league. That is why I emphasise the important of the two next games, we need to beat Swallows and do the same with Wits on Saturday in Orlando."

Moloi is over the moon with the return of attacking midfielder Thandani "Bibo" Ntshumayelo and veteran striker Benni "Magic Feet" McCarthy from one match suspension.

"The return of Benni and Bibo will give us more options," he said.

Meanwhile, Swallows and Pirates' players will visit the Soweto Old Age Home where they will spend some time with the senior citizens tomorrow.

"In the spirit of the original derby, players will donate blankets to our senior citizens," said Swallows' brand manager Siya Sangweni. "It is winter and we want them to have a warm season. This is a game that could decide the league and we expect a big crowd."

Midweek fixtures:

TOMORROW

Polokwane: Kaizer Chiefs vs Maritzburg United

WEDNESDAY

Lucas Moripe: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Platinum Stars, Athlone: Santos vs SuperSport United, Nelson Mandela Bay: Jomo Cosmos vs Bloemfontein Celtic, Charles Mopeli: Free State Stars vs Black Leopards, Moses Mabhida: AmaZulu vs Lamontville Golden Arrows and Milpark: BidVest Wits vs Ajax Cape Town.

l Other games start at 7.30pm.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Wed Jun 19 15:48:23 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 16, 2012

dadaman1

Tough i agree, but we are on a mission of defending what bekongs to us so hard luck Birds not this time.

UP THE BUCS TILL "NO TROPHY FC AKA ZEBRAS win the trebble Bobby promised them this year"
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Nzwere

We are going to beat the Birds, that is obvious. what happened to nedbank aspiring team, Zebras???jerrrrrrrrrrrrrr this team is doomed yong.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Buc4life

Nzwere
We are going to beat the Birds, that is obvious. what happened to nedbank aspiring team, Zebras???jerrrrrrrrrrrrrr this team is doomed yong.
.........................................
they are doomed 4 sure. they will not win the league, even. Nako ya bona e fetile.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

sakhomba

nee man Sowetan. don't you have another picture of Benni M in your archives. this one is over used it is actually fading.
back to the derby, both teams play attacking football. we are in for a thriller.
Birds can't fly in the dark and the ghost is a nightly creature.
UP THE BUCS!!!!
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Mhungumbye

Maar Sowetan U choose to speak about us when our obvious win game is on Wed and decide to ignore about what transpired over the week-end.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Nzwere

Buc4life
Nzwere
We are going to beat the Birds, that is obvious. what happened to nedbank aspiring team, Zebras???jerrrrrrrrrrrrrr this team is doomed yong.
.........................................
they are doomed 4 sure. they will not win the league, even. Nako ya bona e fetile.
==================================
Hey, how are you my Champ? the buccerneeres are prevailing as expected, I wonder why there is no article for a game that took place on Saterday at 20H15. or maybe the supposed wrighter is a Zebra himself. eish, ke mathata fela wa tseba....
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Phuphethakatha

@sakhomba
nee man Sowetan. don't you have another picture of Benni M in your archives. this one is over used it is actually fading.
***************************
Sowetan likes the Captain's arm band Benni is wearing.
You're right Champ Sakhomba, we're nightly creatures and their impepho won't work.
Sea Robbers on the Rampage !!!
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

LIKHUWA

buckzola will win the league
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

svavava

UP THE BUCS, WE MUST WIN THE REMAINING GAMES, WE HAVE TO
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Papage

I told you guys to start preparing for next season, all the cups on table now belong to Cloorkop, Pirates are dreaming, we are going to win all our games and score many goals. Pirates and Chiefs must start looking for Coaches, they are Coachless, by the time they find them, I would have won, Nedbank, League, MTN Top Eight and Telkom, watch us next year, Let the trophy run begin. Sky is the limit, Menwana Phezulu, Go tla shwa Batho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Abuse

Read all 135 comments