MPUMALANGA Black Aces coach Clive Barker wishes he still had Thabo Qalinge in his side for tonight's Absa Premiership clash against second-placed Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium.
Qalinge is now on the opposite side, in the black and white colours of Pirates, and Barker fears the former Aces winger could hurt them when the clubs clash tonight.
Kickoff is at 7.30pm.
Barker gave Qalinge his Premier Soccer League debut last season and the winger shone in Aces' fantastic campaign.
Qalinge, nicknamed "Section", was widely tipped to join Kaizer Chiefs after an impressive season, but joined the Buccaneers instead.
Bucs coach Vladimir Vermezovic has used Qalinge more as a substitute, but could be tempted to start with the player after Khethokwakhe Masuku's poor showing on the right flank in the 1-0 victory over Free State Stars on Saturday.
"We have to keep a close eye on Section. He is finding his feet at Pirates now, " said Barker. "He can take players on in tight corners and he gets into good areas. He is very dangerous. I wish he was with us."
Last season AmaZayoni beat Pirates 1-0 in Nelspruit, thanks to a Thulasizwe Mbuyane strike late in the game. A victory tonight against the Soweto giants will move them up from ninth to second place on the standings.
Pirates winger Daine Klate has warned his teammates to keep a close eye on winger Aubrey Ngoma, who is on loan at Aces from Bucs. Ngoma scored a brilliant goal against Chiefs earlier this season and must be itching to torment his parent club.
"I think Aubrey has done well this season. He is away on loan and he will obviously have a point to prove, to show that we should not have let him go," Klate told the Pirates website.
Pirates left back Thabo Matlaba has not travelled with the team as he continues to nurse his Achilles tendon injury.
Tomorrow's fixtures (all starting at 7.30pm unless stated otherwise)
Charles Mopeli Stadium: Free State Stars v AmaZulu (6pm), FNB Stadium: Kaizer Chiefs v Moroka Swallows, Tuks Stadium: University of Pretoria v Bloemfontein Celtic, Cape Town Stadium: Ajax Cape Town v Platinum Stars, Lucas Moripe: SuperSport United v Maritzburg Utd, Milpark: BidVest Wits v Polokwane City, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: Chippa United v Mamelodi Sundowns
Qalinge threat
MPUMALANGA Black Aces coach Clive Barker wishes he still had Thabo Qalinge in his side for tonight's Absa Premiership clash against second-placed Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium.
Qalinge is now on the opposite side, in the black and white colours of Pirates, and Barker fears the former Aces winger could hurt them when the clubs clash tonight.
Kickoff is at 7.30pm.
Barker gave Qalinge his Premier Soccer League debut last season and the winger shone in Aces' fantastic campaign.
Qalinge, nicknamed "Section", was widely tipped to join Kaizer Chiefs after an impressive season, but joined the Buccaneers instead.
Bucs coach Vladimir Vermezovic has used Qalinge more as a substitute, but could be tempted to start with the player after Khethokwakhe Masuku's poor showing on the right flank in the 1-0 victory over Free State Stars on Saturday.
"We have to keep a close eye on Section. He is finding his feet at Pirates now, " said Barker. "He can take players on in tight corners and he gets into good areas. He is very dangerous. I wish he was with us."
Last season AmaZayoni beat Pirates 1-0 in Nelspruit, thanks to a Thulasizwe Mbuyane strike late in the game. A victory tonight against the Soweto giants will move them up from ninth to second place on the standings.
Pirates winger Daine Klate has warned his teammates to keep a close eye on winger Aubrey Ngoma, who is on loan at Aces from Bucs. Ngoma scored a brilliant goal against Chiefs earlier this season and must be itching to torment his parent club.
"I think Aubrey has done well this season. He is away on loan and he will obviously have a point to prove, to show that we should not have let him go," Klate told the Pirates website.
Pirates left back Thabo Matlaba has not travelled with the team as he continues to nurse his Achilles tendon injury.
Tomorrow's fixtures (all starting at 7.30pm unless stated otherwise)
Charles Mopeli Stadium: Free State Stars v AmaZulu (6pm), FNB Stadium: Kaizer Chiefs v Moroka Swallows, Tuks Stadium: University of Pretoria v Bloemfontein Celtic, Cape Town Stadium: Ajax Cape Town v Platinum Stars, Lucas Moripe: SuperSport United v Maritzburg Utd, Milpark: BidVest Wits v Polokwane City, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: Chippa United v Mamelodi Sundowns
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