Orlando Pirates leave for Nelspruit today for CAF Confederation Cup duty without experienced central defender Siyabonga Sangweni, who is away for personal reasons.
The Buccaneers face Egyptian giants Zamalek in their second Group B match at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, a top-of-the-table clash.
Sangweni may not be available for Pirates, but the good news is that his usual central defensive partner Rooi Mahamutsa returns from suspension after missing the 1-0 victory over AC Leopards a fortnight ago.
Striker Thamsanqa Gabuza is also back from suspension and is not short of game time after playing in Bafana Bafana's last four matches.
Gabuza could start alongside Kermit Erasmus, a partnership that destroyed Guinean club AS Khaloum in the knockout phase of the competition.
"The team has rested and we have got everyone available for the game, except Siya Sangweni because of family reasons," coach Eric Tinkler said yesterday.
Pirates are top of the group after their victory over Leopards and meet a Zamalek side they know very well. Two years ago Pirates hammered the Egyptian giants 4-1 at Orlando Stadium and one of the scorers that night, midfielder Sifiso Myeni, is hoping for another convincing performance.
"It was very important for us to win our first group game [against Leopards]. When we play those group stages you have to start very well," Myeni said.
"We struggled to beat them when we played them in the Champions League, so it felt great to get the win. We need to get a win at home [on Saturday] because the match after Zamalek is against CS Sfaxien away from home."
Myeni is looking forward to playing his normal game on home soil after he struggled on a bumpy pitch in Congo against Leopards.
"Usually when you play away from home skilful players need to adjust. We helped the team out more in defence. Sometimes you don't need to play pretty football, you just need to get the win."
Sangweni misses Confed Cup match
Orlando Pirates leave for Nelspruit today for CAF Confederation Cup duty without experienced central defender Siyabonga Sangweni, who is away for personal reasons.
The Buccaneers face Egyptian giants Zamalek in their second Group B match at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, a top-of-the-table clash.
Sangweni may not be available for Pirates, but the good news is that his usual central defensive partner Rooi Mahamutsa returns from suspension after missing the 1-0 victory over AC Leopards a fortnight ago.
Striker Thamsanqa Gabuza is also back from suspension and is not short of game time after playing in Bafana Bafana's last four matches.
Gabuza could start alongside Kermit Erasmus, a partnership that destroyed Guinean club AS Khaloum in the knockout phase of the competition.
"The team has rested and we have got everyone available for the game, except Siya Sangweni because of family reasons," coach Eric Tinkler said yesterday.
Pirates are top of the group after their victory over Leopards and meet a Zamalek side they know very well. Two years ago Pirates hammered the Egyptian giants 4-1 at Orlando Stadium and one of the scorers that night, midfielder Sifiso Myeni, is hoping for another convincing performance.
"It was very important for us to win our first group game [against Leopards]. When we play those group stages you have to start very well," Myeni said.
"We struggled to beat them when we played them in the Champions League, so it felt great to get the win. We need to get a win at home [on Saturday] because the match after Zamalek is against CS Sfaxien away from home."
Myeni is looking forward to playing his normal game on home soil after he struggled on a bumpy pitch in Congo against Leopards.
"Usually when you play away from home skilful players need to adjust. We helped the team out more in defence. Sometimes you don't need to play pretty football, you just need to get the win."
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