Bucs hope to restore pride against Stars

Pirates' striker Bongani Ndulula is set to make his comeback in the match against Free State Stars tonight.

The defending league champions welcome Stars in an Absa Premiership match at Orlando stadium at 7.30pm. Ndulula last played for Pirates in a league match against Moroka Swallows on November 2, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The two sides meet at the same venue where Stars eliminated Pirates from the Nedbank Cup on Saturday after beating them 2-1.

At the same time Pirates will be minus key players Daine Klate and Siyabonga Sangweni, who are both suspended because of second yellow cards.

Isaac Chansa, Ruben Cloete, Thulasizwe Mbuyane and Portuguese Luis Boa Morta are nursing injuries. Andile Jali is still out due to suspension.

Attacking midfielder Cyril Mashego is set to make his debut in an official match tonight.

"It never rains but pours for us, we are forced to chop and change the squad because of injuries and suspensions," said Pirates coach Augusto Palacios.

"We have a number of players that I might give a run against Stars, there is no way they will beat us this time round."

Commenting on Mashego, Palacios said: "I know him very well. He is from our academy and has played in major global development competitions. Cyril was selected player of the tournament at the Manchester United Premier Cup in England two years ago.

"He has been featuring for Pirates in friendly games. The young man is part of the camp for the game against Stars."

Born in Polokwane in Limpopo on August 2 1991, Mashego is the youngest player for Pirates at 20, while captain and defender Lucky Lekgwathi, born in Pretoria north on August 1 1976, is the oldest.

Palacios also announced he has organised special sessions for fringe strikers like Ndulula and Tukelo Rantie as part of the process to sharpen his attack.

With Pirates under tremendous pressure to defend the league title, Palacios wants the pair to ease the burden on Benni McCarthy in terms of scoring goals.

"I have been having special sessions with them, we have to start scoring goals," said Palacios.

Komphela, who is expected to be named as Bafana Bafana assistant coach tomorrow, is expecting a tough match.

"Like all the other games, we will work hard to get a win. We are ready for them," said the former Bafana skipper.

Stars will be looking to the likes of Edward Manqele and Paulos Masehe to embarrass Pirates again.