There will be two exciting players to watch when Chippa United host resurgent Orlando Pirates at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday [17h30].
The Buccaneers make another coastal voyage as they visit Gqeberha for a DStv Premiership cash against the Chilli Boys.
Bucs coach Jose Riveiro will be eyeing all 18 points on offer in the remaining six fixtures to make a return to CAF club football.
After amassing 40 points, the same as Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United, the Buccaneers know they can’t afford to drop points.
They enjoy a superior goal difference over Chiefs and SuperSport after their 2-0 win over Richards Bay in Durban last weekend.
Zimbabwe international Terrence Dzvukamanja and Bafana Bafana, winter Monnapule Saleng, got the all-important goals.
READ: Chippa United eyeing double over Orlando Pirates
It made it four wins in the last five league games for the Soweto Giants.
Interestingly, they play perennial strugglers who remain winless in their last five league games.
The last time they tasted victory was in late January. They have since dropped to 14th in the standings, three points ahead of bottom-placed Marumo Gallants.
Chippa Mpengesi’s boys may have to do without veteran defender Trevor Mathiane.
He also missed the 1-1 draw against SuperSport United over the weekend due to injury.
On the Bucs side, Riveiro will have a full squad after Thabang Monare and Bandile Shandu return from injury.
Bafana midfielder Goodman Mosele will also be eyeing a run after a spell on the sidelines.
TWO PLAYERS TO WATCH
Terrence Dzvukamanja
The Zimbabwean forward keeps producing good performances thanks to the coach’s faith in him. The former Bidvest Wits attacker spent much of the first half of the season on the sidelines. Dzvukamanja’s aerial ability makes him the perfect target inside the opposition’s penalty area. He has scored four league goals in nine appearances, including three in his last four starts.
Etiosa Ighodaro
The 21-year-old striker has been sensational at Chippa United, hitting the target eight times. Ighodaro is part of the Golden Boot race. With his speed off the mark and clinical finishing, the Nigerian could pose a challenge to Bucs’ defence.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RESULTS
Pirates and Chippa have clashed 19 times in the domestic league, and the Buccaneers have won 13 of those fixtures.
The Eastern Cape side has won four of the encounters, including the reverse fixture this season