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No respite for Bucs

HERO: Bongani Ndulula of AmaZulu scored the only goal against Pirates when the sides met at FNB Stadium last season Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
HERO: Bongani Ndulula of AmaZulu scored the only goal against Pirates when the sides met at FNB Stadium last season Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

THE sometimes wasteful Orlando Pirates face yet another daunting task against AmaZulu tonight.

The match is scheduled for Orlando Stadium, and last season former Pirates striker Bongani Ndulula scored the only goal in the corresponding fixture at FNB Stadium.

But Pirates have already lost a home fixture this season, beaten by Moroka Swallows two weeks ago at their Soweto fortress.

Both AmaZulu and Pirates are still to win a league match this season, which is a cause for concern for Bucs coach Vladimir Vermezovic.

"We are Orlando Pirates, we have to go out for three points in every game," he told the club's website yesterday.

Vermezovic is relieved Pirates scored two goals and won the MTN8 semifinal first leg against Bidvest Wits last weekend but asked for consistency from his players.

"You cannot win games if you do not score goals, it's simple as that," said Vermezovic.

The only point Pirates have collected to date was when they played to 2-2 draw with their hoodoo team, Bloemfontein Celtic, last week.

As for Usuthu, they started their league campaign with a goalless draw against Ajax Cape Town and went down 2-1 to Swallows. But the side guided by former Pirates assistant coach Craig Rosslee got four points from six in the two league fixtures against Bucs last season.

AmaZulu left-back Mark van Heerden is confident they can embarrass Pirates in their own backyard again.

"I don't see why we can't come back with three points like we did last season if we defend well and convert our chances," he said.

Meanwhile, Vermezovic has cleared the air regarding the future of Lucky Lekgwathi, saying he is still very much part of the team.

The 38-year-old is still to play for Pirates in an official game this season.

"Lucky is part of the team, he is a good guy. He's got an old injury. Maybe in another 10 days we could have him back," said the coach.

Tonight's fixtures (7.30pm unless stated)

FS Stars vs SuperSport, Charles Mopeli, 6pm; Pirates vs AmaZulu, Orlando; Swallows vs Sundowns, Dobsonville; Wits vs Maritzburg, Bidvest Stadium; Aces vs Platinum Stars, Mbombela; Chippa vs Tuks, Nelson Mandela Bay

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