Bucs set for spicy contest against Chippa

ORLANDO Pirates return to their home patch and will look to get back to winning ways when they host a struggling Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium today at 3pm.

The Buccaneers began their season on a positive note on match day one, but a draw against Stellenbosch last time out has thrown a few questions at the Sea Robbers, questions they are looking to answer with victory against the Chilli Boys.

Nkosinathi Sibisi, one of a few players recruited in the off-season, seems set to be a part of the club’s plans under new coach Jose Riveiro.

The Durban-born defensive player scored his first and Pirates’ only goal in their last match, and admitted that the game lit a fire in their belly and they’re determined to claim victory today.

“It’s really important that we get three points on Sunday. We’re playing at home at Orlando Stadium and if we can add a win to the point we got away from home, we’ll be able to find ourselves in a good position,” he told the club’s media department.

Daine Klate, a former Pirates old boy, has been exposed to a dose of reality in the opening two games of his management career, an emphatic defeat to Royal AM the reality check that may prove important moving forward.

The Chilli Boys survived the drop by the skin of their teeth last season, avoiding the axe on the final day of the season. The Gqeberha-based club, much like in the previous campaign, have reconstructed a new squad with Klate appointed to lead them to a decent finishing position.

Meanwhile, at the Mbombela Stadium, Gavin Hunt’s Supersport United will visit a buoyant TS Galaxy side, with Hunt still searching for his first victory since making a sentimental return to the Pretoria club.

Matsatsantsa have conceded three goals in their opening two games, their defeat to Amazulu last time out a testament to how much work Hunt needs to do to mould a fairly young squad into consistent competitors.

Their opponents Galaxy will still be smelling blood after slaying a fellow Pretoria giant in Mamelodi Sundowns in their previous match.

The Rockets will head into this match with their confidence going through the roof following an impressive performance at Loftus.

The Mpumalanga side have never won against Supersport in four previous attempts but will look to repeat their midweek heroics when the sides clash at 5.30pm.