TOTTENHAM Hotspur midfielder Steven "Schillo" Pienaar is itching for action against Orlando Pirates.
The last time the Bafana Bafana skipper played against the Buccaneers was back in 2000 when he was still with Ajax Cape Town.
He orchestrated Pirates's fall in the Rothmans Cup in Johannesburg as Ajax emerged 4-1 winners in the now-defunct event.
Tonight, just over 10 years later, Pienaar will have an opportunity to play against Pirates, the club he grew up supporting.
Pienaar is likely to be in the starting line-up when the north London club takes on the Buccaneers in the second match of the Vodacom Challenge at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium tonight (8.15pm).
The midfielder who was born in Westbury, Johannesburg, was on the bench when the London club lost 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in the opening match in Polokwane on Saturday.
He is excited at the prospects of playing against Pirates.
"Of course I'm happy that I will play against Pirates who are one of the oldest teams in South Africa. It will be great to play against them after such a long time," Pienaar said.
His teammate Gareth Bale is hoping to show Pirates the stars tonight.
The 21-year-old Welsh international said they were determined to win this pre-season tournament to build morale in the team going into the league campaign that kicks off next month.
"It is important for us to win to prepare for the new season in England," said Bale who praised Chiefs for their gritty display on Saturday.
Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon, who all came off the bench against Chiefs, should start along with the unsettled Croatian playmaker Luka Modric.
Pirates midfielder Oupa "Ace" Manyisa said they were geared up for the match.
"Spurs will be more difficult after losing to Chiefs but we will be going all out for a win to continue making our supporters happy, like we did last season," Manyisa said.
Bucs's ace midfielder Andile Jali added: "Chiefs played their part on Saturday and it is our turn to do the same."
Bucs technical staff will also use the game to try newcomers like Siyabonga Sangweni and Sameehg Doutie.
Benson Mhlongo and Lucas Thwala are fit again and should play. Returnee Siphelele Mthembu is also available for selection.
Whatever the outcome tonight, it is a known factor that Thursday's Soweto derby clash between Pirates and Chiefs in Port Elizabeth is more important as the winner will play against Spurs in the final at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.
Sowetan has learnt that Spurs are so impressed with the Chiefs duo of Itumeleng Khune and Lehlohonolo Majoro that they will continue to keep a close eye on them on Thursday.
Pienaar itching for Bucs
TOTTENHAM Hotspur midfielder Steven "Schillo" Pienaar is itching for action against Orlando Pirates.
The last time the Bafana Bafana skipper played against the Buccaneers was back in 2000 when he was still with Ajax Cape Town.
He orchestrated Pirates's fall in the Rothmans Cup in Johannesburg as Ajax emerged 4-1 winners in the now-defunct event.
Tonight, just over 10 years later, Pienaar will have an opportunity to play against Pirates, the club he grew up supporting.
Pienaar is likely to be in the starting line-up when the north London club takes on the Buccaneers in the second match of the Vodacom Challenge at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium tonight (8.15pm).
The midfielder who was born in Westbury, Johannesburg, was on the bench when the London club lost 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in the opening match in Polokwane on Saturday.
He is excited at the prospects of playing against Pirates.
"Of course I'm happy that I will play against Pirates who are one of the oldest teams in South Africa. It will be great to play against them after such a long time," Pienaar said.
His teammate Gareth Bale is hoping to show Pirates the stars tonight.
The 21-year-old Welsh international said they were determined to win this pre-season tournament to build morale in the team going into the league campaign that kicks off next month.
"It is important for us to win to prepare for the new season in England," said Bale who praised Chiefs for their gritty display on Saturday.
Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon, who all came off the bench against Chiefs, should start along with the unsettled Croatian playmaker Luka Modric.
Pirates midfielder Oupa "Ace" Manyisa said they were geared up for the match.
"Spurs will be more difficult after losing to Chiefs but we will be going all out for a win to continue making our supporters happy, like we did last season," Manyisa said.
Bucs's ace midfielder Andile Jali added: "Chiefs played their part on Saturday and it is our turn to do the same."
Bucs technical staff will also use the game to try newcomers like Siyabonga Sangweni and Sameehg Doutie.
Benson Mhlongo and Lucas Thwala are fit again and should play. Returnee Siphelele Mthembu is also available for selection.
Whatever the outcome tonight, it is a known factor that Thursday's Soweto derby clash between Pirates and Chiefs in Port Elizabeth is more important as the winner will play against Spurs in the final at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.
Sowetan has learnt that Spurs are so impressed with the Chiefs duo of Itumeleng Khune and Lehlohonolo Majoro that they will continue to keep a close eye on them on Thursday.
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