Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs is likely to come face to face with his former teammates, Bidvest Wits, for the first time in the Absa Premiership game at Ellis Park on Friday night.

Josephs, who joined the Buccaneers in the off-season, is expected to put up a great fight against the Students.

He knows the Wits players well and could be a stumbling block for them, thus seeing Pirates collecting their first full points of the new season.

This will be Pirates' second league game - the first was away against Lamontville Golden Arrows who beat them 1-0.

Playing in front of their fans this time around, Pirates have to redeem themselves against Wits and secure the much-needed points.

Public relations manager Micky Modi- sane said they had confidence in Josephs. Modisane believes the goalkeeper will be too good for Bucs' oppents on the night.

"He has been with Wits for a while and he knows the Students well. The players are determined to see us winning this game, more so before our loyal fans."

Wits are bound to go for the kill after their sterling victory over Santos, so the Bucs must be on the alert.

Modisane said they were waiting with bated breath for Jerry Adriano, a striker signed from Cape Verde. He said they were still waiting for Adriano's papers that might arrive before the end of the week.

But he pointed out that Lebohang Mokoena, Lucas Twala, Happy Jele and Tshepiso Tshabalala were back at training.

The only player who will not be available for selection is Bennett Chenene, who has a groin injury.

Tickets for this game are already on sale at Computicket outlets at R20 each.

Kickoff is at 7.30pm.

Fixtures:

Friday - Pirates v Wits (Ellis Park, 7.30pm); Santos v Bay United (Athlone, 8pm).

Saturday - Free State Stars v Golden Arrows (Welkom, 3pm); Mamelodi Sundowns v AmaZulu (Super Stadium, 7.30pm).

Sunday - Maritzburg United v Kaizer Chiefs (Kings Park, 3pm); Thanda Royal Zulu v Bloemfontein Celtic (Mpumalanga Stadium, 3pm).