Orlando Pirates starting XI prediction: DStv Premiership vs Cape Town City

Orlando Pirates starting XI prediction: The Sea Robbers will be out to bounce back from defeat to Sundowns when they travel to the Mother City this weekend.

Here we look at how Orlando Pirates might line up against Cape Town City on Saturday 2 October 2021.

Orlando Pirates starting XI prediction

With Richard Ofori a long term injury absentee (he was ruled out of international duty next month), Siyabonga Mpontshane is likely to continue in goal. Mpontshane wasn’t really culpable in the two goals Sundowns banged in with the defensive line leaving him exposed.

Innocent Maela could return to the starting lineup at left back, with Paseka Mako likely to be made the scapegoat for a poor showing by the entire backline.

Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu FC at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Despite their poor display against Sundowns, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Happy Jele should retain their places as the centre back pairing.

Bandile Shandu was comfortably the best player in the defence last time out and should be the first name pencilled into the team sheet at right back.

Bandile Shandu of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 football match between Orlando Pirates and Swallows FC at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg on 11 September 2021 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

In midfield, Goodman Mosele has probably done enough to get away with a sub-par showing last weekend, but Abel Mabaso’s legginess suggests he needs a break with Siphesihle Ndlovu likely to receive a late birthday present in the form of a recall to the Orlando Pirates starting XI.

Vincent Pule of Orlando Pirates during the 2020 MTN8 QuarterFinal match between Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 17 October 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

If fit, Vincent Pule and Deon Hotto will almost certainly start in the wide areas with the pair creating plenty of chances in their most recent outing.

Up front the failure to convert those chances might be remedied by deploying a second striker to aid Tshegofatso Mabasa and after several matches on the bench it could be Kwame Peprah’s time to shine.

Orlando Pirates Starting XI predicted

Siyabonga Mpontshane, Innocent Maela, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Happy Jele, Bandile Shandu, Goodman Mosele, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Vincent Pule, Deon Hotto, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Kwame Peprah.

Confirmed Starting XI

TBA

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