Original Soweto Derby: Orlando Pirates Predicted XI to face Swallows FC

3:55 AM MYT 14/12/2021

The Buccaneers will be keen to stay in the top three with victory for a second-straight game

Orlando Pirates will make a short trip to Dobsonville Stadium to tackle Soweto rivals Swallows FC on Tuesday.

GOAL predicts how the Pirates coaches will select their starting line-up:

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GOALKEEPER - Siyabonga Mpontshane

With Richard Ofori not expected to be back this year, Mpontshane should start his 14th match this season on Tuesday.
He kept a clean sheet in the last match against TS Galaxy and it was his sixth match to do so.
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RIGHT-BACK - Bandile Shandu

The 26-year-old goes into this match high in confidence after grabbing Pirates' opening goal in the 2-0 win over TS Galaxy last weekend.
Having featured in all 15 league games, he arrived from Maritzburg United during pre-season to become a solution to the problems the Buccaneers faced at right-back.
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LEFT-BACK - Paseka Mako

Just like the right-back position where Pirates struggled for a regular player last season, the left-back was also problematic but Mako has cemented himself in that role.
He has started 13 of their 15 league games.
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CENTRAL DEFENDER - Ntsikelelo Nyauza

Since his return to the starting line-up following injuries to captain Happy Jele and Thulani Hlatswhayo, Nyauza has been the team's leader.
Together with Olisa Ndah, they have been steely at the back.
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CENTRAL DEFENDER - Olisa Ndah

The lanky Nigerian defender's formidable partnership with Nyauza has seen Pirates avoiding defeat in their last five games.
In those matches, they have kept four clean sheets.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Thabang Monare

The 32-year-old has started four times but after an impressive showing against TS Galaxy, he is likely to retain his place in midfield.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Ben Motshwari

He came on as a substitute just after the hour mark in their last game.
Since returning from suspension by the club, Motshwari has been slowly been getting back to his best.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELDER - Collins Makgaka

The former Baroka FC midfielder is enjoying an improved season and goes into this match on a high after he grabbed Pirates' second goal against TS Galaxy.
It was the second time for him to find the back of the net this term in nine appearances which included six starts.
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LEFT MIDFIELDER - Deon Hotto

The Namibian is Pirates' top-scorer this season with four goals.
Hotto has been thriving on his speed and is expected to stretch the Baroka defence on Tuesday.
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RIGHT MIDFIELDER - Thembinkosi Lorch

After recovering from a shoulder injury and coming on as a substitute in Pirates' last two games, it will not be surprising to see Lorch starting in this Original Soweto Derby.
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CENTRE-FORWARD - Tshegofatso Mabasa

Pirates have been struggling upfront where they have no regular scorer.
Mabasa would be keen to rebuild himself as a trusted forward and improve from the two goals he has managed in 11 appearances.