Former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba will make his debut as new coach of Black Leopards against his former club Orlando Pirates in the Absa Cup at Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday.
Mashaba, a former Pirates captain, was appointed coach of Leopards two weeks ago, almost two months after he was fired as coach of Bafana Bafana on the eve of the African Nations Cup.
The no-nonsense Mashaba had accused Pirates chairperson Irvin Khoza, then South African Football Association deputy president, of being behind his sacking.
Regarding Saturday’s game starting at 3.15pm, Mashaba said they were looking forward to a tough match against the reigning Castle Premiership champions.
”We are coming to Johannesburg to fight,” said Mashaba, who last coached at club level almost a decade ago when he was still guiding the now-defunct Vaal Reefs Stars.
Pirates assistant coach Harris Choeu said they were bracing themselves for a tough match. Choeu said they had prepared themselves thoroughly for the match and were confident of winning.
Bucs will be without defender Jimmy Tau and midfielder Daniel Tshabalala who are nursing injuries. But they have other youngsters such as Benedict Vilakazi and Kabanga Tshamala, who are in a class of their own.
The biggest game of the weekend will be between high-riding Kaizer Chiefs and struggling Sundowns in the same tournament at Odi Stadium on Sunday. — Sapa