KATLEGO Mashego, Bennett Chenene, Joseph Makhanya and Dikgang Mabalane will have a point to prove when Moroka Swallows take on Orlando Pirates in an Absa Premiership match at Dobsonville Stadium.

At least this is how Birds coach Zeca Marques sees it.

 

His star quartet will face their former club in a crucial Soweto derby.

 

“There is no doubt everyone will go all out, especially Chenene, Mashego, Mabalane and Makhanya, who are former Pirates players.

 

“This game will give them the extra spark. I will also ensure that the spark is there by igniting it,” Marques said.

 

The game will be more special for Mabalane because this will be the first time the winger squares up against his old club.

 

Both sides will go into the match wounded, following early exits in the Nedbank Cup at the weekend.

 

The Buccaneers will be the side going into the match on the back of a heavier knock after losing 4-1 to minnows Maluti FET College on Saturday, while the Dube Birds went down 5-3 on penalties to SuperSport United.

 

The Birds coach admitted that the game would be a tough encounter.

 

“This will be a tricky game. Pirates will want to bounce back strongly – and so will we,” he said.

 

Marques commended his troops for their performance in their last four fixtures where he has seen a marked improvement from their woes at the start of the season.

 

Besides the penalty defeat against United, after scores were level at 0-0 at the end of extra time on Saturday, Swallows have not lost in any of their past three league fixtures, with two draws and one victory.

 

“Our last four performances have been solid. We are quite confident that we can put on another great performance. There is lots to play for in this game, and the result could change the complexity of the season. If we can at least get a draw we will have done well,” Marques said.

 

The Birds go into the match injury-free, but will be without the services of Rudi Isaacs, who is suspended.

 

Pirates will have the opportunity to regain the number one spot on the log as they trail leaders Kaizer Chiefs by two points, and they have one game in hand.

 

A win for Roger de Sa’s Pirates will take them one point above Amakhosi.

 

The match will see the return of Bucs skipper Lucky Legwathi from injury and Andile Jali from suspension.

Kickoff is at 7.30pm.

For more go to http://www.sowetanlive.co.za