Pirates not hamstrung by key suspensions

• Published date: 27 April 2024
• Author: Herman Gibbs herman.gibbs@gmail.com
• Publication title: Independent on Saturday

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, defender Deon Hotto and midfielder Miguel Timm are all serving suspensions, but their Spanish coach Jose Riveiro is confident that his squad’s depth will suffice

“I have 38 players in the squad and 80% of them are available to play at any moment,” said Riveiro.

“We have many players ready to go and everybody is going to be needed in the last part of the season.

“If we get a yellow, we get a yellow; if it’s the fourth one, it’s the fourth one. We go to the next player.”

Pirates will be targeting three consecutive wins for only the second time this season. They have won three of their past five encounters, with back-to-back victories against Golden Arrows (7-1) and AmaZulu (1-0). They are one point above Sekhukhune United in third spot.

Provided Pirates’ defence can contain Royal AM’s attacking threat, the Buccaneers should continue with their winning run and remain Stellies’ closest challengers for the CAF Champions League berth.

Thwihli Thwahla find themselves three points shy of the top eight in 12th place after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Arrows in Hammarsdale last Saturday.

All eyes will be on Pirates’ leading striker Tshegofatso Mabasa. He did not spend the first six months of the season at Pirates as he went on loan to Moroka Swallows, where he netted six times.

He returned in January and has been a revelation since, not just with his goals but also his hold-up play as a No. 9 targetman striker. He has...