NEWLY-crowned Knockout champions Orlando Pirates will go head-to-head with the All-Stars team in the 2025 Carling Black Label Cup match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Bucs will be without the nine players who are part of Bafana Bafana’s 2025 AFCON squad, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has sealed a transfer to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
Meanwhile, Thabiso Sesane and Thapelo Xoli remain sidelined by respective injuries, but the Soweto giants will be boosted by the availability of Patrick Maswanganyi, who missed the game against Gallants due to suspension.
All-Stars, on the other hand, will be under the guidance of experienced Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who will be assisted by Kaizer Chiefs reserve team coach Vela Khumalo and Stellenbosch FC reserve team coach Evangelos Vellios, with Bonginkosi Chonco as the Champion Coach.
The All-Stars team starting line-up set to face Pirates; Brandon Petersen, Thulani Mabaso, Mfundo Vilakazi and Naledi Hlongwane (all Kaizer Chiefs), Marcelo Allende, Vincent Sithole, Thabo Nkabinde and Arthur Sales (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Keabetswe Khonyane (Siwelele FC), Sikhosonke Langa (Sekhukhune United), and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (Marumo Gallants).
Naphtali Mokoena, Aden McCarthy, Paseka Mako, Manqoba Ozoemena, Pheko Phago, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Pule Mmodi – Kaizer Chiefs and Mduduzi Shabalala (all Kaizer Chiefs), Nuno Santos and Bennet Mokoena (both Mamelodi Sundowns) and Bande Gumede and Adrian Dippenaar (both AmaZulu FC).
Game kicks off at 3pm.
