Steven "Schillo" Pienaar all set for Bucs

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Steven "Schillo" Pienaar is itching for action against Orlando Pirates.

The last time the Bafana Bafana skipper played against the Buccaneers was back in 2000 when he was still in the colours of Ajax Cape Town.

He orchestrated a 4-1 Pirates defeat in a cup game in Johannesburg.

Tonight, just over 10 years later, Pienaar will have another opportunity to play against Pirates, the club he grew up supporting.

He is likely to be in the starting line-up when the north London club takes on the Buccaneers in the second match of the Vodacom Challenge at Nelspruit's Mbombela stadium tonight (8.15pm).

The Westbury, Johannesburg-born midfielder was on the bench when Tottenham lost 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in the opening match in Polokwane on Saturday.

Pienaar is excited at the prospects of playing against Pirates.

"Of course I'm happy that I will play against Pirates, who are one of the oldest teams in South Africa. It will be great to play against them after such a long time," Pienaar said.

His teammate Garth Bale is hoping to show Pirates the stars tonight. The 21-year-old Welsh international said Spurs were determined to win this off-season tournament to build morale in the team going into the English Premier League that kicks off next month.

"It is important for us to win to prepare for the new season in England," said Bale, who praised Chiefs for their gritty display on Saturday.

Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon, who all came off the bench against Chiefs, should start along with the unsettled Croatian playmaker Luka Modric. Modric is still being eagerly sought by Chelsea, but the clubs have not been able to agree on terms.

Pirates midfielder Oupa "Ace" Manyisa said the Buccaneers were geared up for the match.

"Spurs will be more difficult after losing to Chiefs but we will be going all out for a win to continue making our supporters happy like we did last season," Manyisa said.

Bucs ace midfielder Andile Jali said: "Chiefs played their part on Saturday and it is our turn to do the same."

Bucs' technical staff will also use the game to try out newcomers like Siyabonga Sangweni and Sameehg Doutie.

Benson Mhlongo and Lucas Thwala are fit again and should play. Returnee Siphelele Mthembu is also available for selection.

Whatever the outcome tonight, Thursday's Soweto derby clash between Pirates and Chiefs in Port Elizabeth is more important because the winner will play against Spurs in the Challenge final at Ellis Park stadium on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Spurs were so impressed with the Chiefs duo of Itumeleng Khune and Lehlohonolo Majoro that the London club will continue to keep a close eye on the pair during Thursday's game at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.