ORLANDO Pirates' trusted defender Siyabonga Sangweni will make his first official appearance in his club's shirt in six months when Bucs face AC Leopards in the African Champions League in Congo-Brazzaville tomorrow.
Kick off is 3.30pm.
The injury-prone Sangweni will start the game following the suspensions of right-back Happy Jele, left-back Thabo Matlaba and midfielder Andile Jali.
Patrick Phungwayo will fill the gap created by the absence of Matlaba, with captain Lucky Lekgwathi pushed from central defence to the right flank.
Sangweni, who was troubled by knee and groin injuries, will operate in his usual central defence position alongside Rooi Mahamutsa.
He has featured in several friendlies, including last Friday's emphatic 4-0 win over Moroka Swallows at Rand Stadium.
"It's great to be back in action, and I'm looking forward to contributing to the success of my team. We are going to Dolisie for a win," warned Sangweni yesterday.
Rising star Lehlogonolo Masalesa will once more come in for Jali. Bucs striker Lennox Bacela is also confident of a win in Dolisie.
Bacela said they were mentally and psychologically ready for a clash with the reigning Caf Confederation Cup winners.
"It's going to be war [in Congo-Brazzaville] because Leopards are equally desperate for a win to remain in the race of qualifying for the semifinals," Bacela, who has already scored two goals in this tournament, said.
"We need to get back to the winning ways by whipping Leopards in their own backyard to move a step closer to qualifying for the semifinals. Our message to South Africans is that we will make them proud."
The two teams played to a goalless draw in the first match in Soweto in July when Pirates were still busy with their pre-season training.
"We were still a bit rusty during that game, but Leopards will not survive this time around," added an equally confident assistant coach Tebogo Moloi.
Sangweni to start against Leopards
ORLANDO Pirates' trusted defender Siyabonga Sangweni will make his first official appearance in his club's shirt in six months when Bucs face AC Leopards in the African Champions League in Congo-Brazzaville tomorrow.
Kick off is 3.30pm.
The injury-prone Sangweni will start the game following the suspensions of right-back Happy Jele, left-back Thabo Matlaba and midfielder Andile Jali.
Patrick Phungwayo will fill the gap created by the absence of Matlaba, with captain Lucky Lekgwathi pushed from central defence to the right flank.
Sangweni, who was troubled by knee and groin injuries, will operate in his usual central defence position alongside Rooi Mahamutsa.
He has featured in several friendlies, including last Friday's emphatic 4-0 win over Moroka Swallows at Rand Stadium.
"It's great to be back in action, and I'm looking forward to contributing to the success of my team. We are going to Dolisie for a win," warned Sangweni yesterday.
Rising star Lehlogonolo Masalesa will once more come in for Jali. Bucs striker Lennox Bacela is also confident of a win in Dolisie.
Bacela said they were mentally and psychologically ready for a clash with the reigning Caf Confederation Cup winners.
"It's going to be war [in Congo-Brazzaville] because Leopards are equally desperate for a win to remain in the race of qualifying for the semifinals," Bacela, who has already scored two goals in this tournament, said.
"We need to get back to the winning ways by whipping Leopards in their own backyard to move a step closer to qualifying for the semifinals. Our message to South Africans is that we will make them proud."
The two teams played to a goalless draw in the first match in Soweto in July when Pirates were still busy with their pre-season training.
"We were still a bit rusty during that game, but Leopards will not survive this time around," added an equally confident assistant coach Tebogo Moloi.
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