Orlando Pirates will have to navigate their upcoming match against Royal AM without three of their regular players. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, defender Deon Hotto, and midfielder Miguel Timm will all be absent from the clash in Pietermaritzburg due to suspensions.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, however, remains confident in his squad’s depth and believes he has capable replacements on the bench.
With 38 players in the squad, Riveiro states that the majority of them are available to play at any moment. He emphasizes the importance of every player in the team, especially during the crucial last part of the season.
On the other side, Royal AM coach John Maduka will have a full set of players to choose from, as none of his players are suspended for this game. This gives Maduka an advantage in terms of team selection and tactical options.
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Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed the list of players suspended for the weekend DStv Premiership matches. On Friday night, Cape Town Spurs will be without Jarrod Moroole when they host Richards Bay FC. Richards Bay FC, in turn, will miss the services of midfielder Langelihle Mhlongo.
Other suspended players include Jacob Everson from Moroka Swallows, Abbubaker Mobara from AmaZulu, Ricardo Goss from SuperSport United, and Sihle Nduli from Stellenbosch FC. Cape Town City will be without defender Keanu Cupido, while Golden Arrows will miss striker Knox Mutizwa.
These suspensions will undoubtedly have an impact on the respective teams’ strategies and lineups for the weekend matches.