Old Ace in Bucs' pack

21 October 2014 - 02:01 By Tshepang Mailwane
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REAL DEAL: Winger Thabo Qalinge of Orlando Pirates will face his old team, Black Aces, in Nelspruit tonight
REAL DEAL: Winger Thabo Qalinge of Orlando Pirates will face his old team, Black Aces, in Nelspruit tonight
Image: CHARLE LOMBARD/GALLO IMAGES

Black Aces coach Clive Barker wishes he still had Thabo Qalinge in his side for tonight's Absa Premiership clash with second-placed Orlando Pirates.

Qalinge is now on the opposite side, in the black and white of Pirates, and Barker fears the former Aces winger could hurt them when the clubs clash at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Barker gave Qalinge his PSL debut last season and the winger shone in Aces' fantastic season.

Qalinge was widely tipped to join Kaizer Chiefs after an impressive season, but joined Orlando Pirates instead this season.

Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic has used Qalinge more as a substitute, but could be tempted to start with the player after Khethokwakhe Masuku's poor showing on the right flank in the 1-0 victory over Free State Stars at the weekend.

"We have to keep a close eye on Section (Qalinge). He is finding his feet at Pirates now. He is doing alright and the coach has done well to keep him out of the limelight.

"He starts some games and comes off the bench in other matches," said Barker.

"He can take players on in tight corners and he gets into good areas. He is very dangerous. I wish he was with us."

Last season Black Aces beat Pirates 1-0 in Nelspruit. A victory tonight against the Soweto giants will move them up from ninth to second place on the standings.

"We were lucky to put one over them last season," Barker said. "Three points against them and we're in the top two."

Pirates winger Daine Klate has warned his teammates to keep a close eye on winger Aubrey Ngoma, who is on loan to Black Aces from Bucs.

Ngoma scored a brilliant goal against Chiefs earlier this season and must be itching to torment Pirates.

"He is away on loan and he will obviously have a point to prove, to show that we should not have let him go," Klate said.

Pirates left back Thabo Matlaba has not travelled with the team as he continues to nurse an Achilles tendon injury.

  • Fani Madida will temporarily take over the reins at Moroka Swallows after beleaguered coach Zeca Marques departed following the Soweto team's five defeats on the trot.

Madida's first big test is against Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City tomorrow night.

Additional reporting by Mazola Molefe

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