There will be a very different looking Kaizer Chiefs team when The Amakhosi takes to the field on Thursday evening when they meet Orlando Pirates in their second Vodacom Challenge encounter, with the victor heading for the capital to take on Manchester United in the final on Saturday. Ernst Middendorp has rung the changes in his starting line up and has omitted a number of players who gave Manchester United a real fight in Cape Town on Tuesday, before The Amakhosi succumbed to a late goal. Ernst Middendorp has stuck to his 4-4-2 formation against Pirates, instead of using Gert Schalkwyk to play along side Shaun Bartlett he has opted to bring in and out right striker in the form of David Radebe to partner Bartlett up front.

He has also given a host of players a run in defence as captain Cyril Nzama, Patrick Mayo and Ditheko Mototo make way for Fabian McCarthy who last played a game for Chiefs in early May when he captained Chiefs to a 2-1 victory over Silver Stars at the Bafokeng Sports Palace. Has once again being given the duties of leading Chiefs out against Pirates, Ernst Middendorp has dealt his lucky charm by tasking McCarthy with the captain duties as McCarthy has a 100 % win record as Chiefs captain.

Siphiwe Mkhonza gets the nod ahead of Jimmy Tau who will be hoping to get some action on Thursday evening against his old team mates. Further omissions come in the form of Arthur Zwane, Derrick Spencer, Gert Schalkwyk and Patrick Mayo; they have been replaced by Tinashe Nengomasha, Gerald Sibeko, David Mathebula and veteran midfielder Thabo Mooki who is no stranger to the Soweto derby. Goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez retains his place along with David Obua midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi and striker Shaun Bartlett who will be out to take advantage of what has been a lethargic Pirates defence of late.

Pirates too have made changes to their team that were soundly beaten 4-0 by Manchester United in Durban this past Saturday, out go Kelebogile Mabe, Lehlohonolo Seema, Joseph Makhanya and Lelo Mbele. In their places comes Lucky Lekgwathi, Tonic Chabalala, Gift Leremi and former Silver Stars midfielder Gerald Modabi makes his first start for the Buccaneers.

Starting Line Up’s:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 13. D. Obua, 44. S. Mkhonza, 6. F. McCarthy, 24. D. Mathebula,

27. G. Sibeko, 8. T. Nengomasha, 12. T. Mooki, 10. S. Nkosi, 29. S. Bartlett, 31. D. Radebe

Substitutes: 30. R. Wuest, 33. D. Mototo, 4. C. Nzama, 2. J. Tau, 28. D. Spencer, 21. P. Mayo,

18. A. Zwane, 25. G. Schalkwyk, 7. K. Motaung Jnr, 20. L. Agyemang, 9. S. Djiehoua, 11. E. Ngobese

Coach: Ernst Middendorp

Orlando Pirates: 44. F. Chansa, 14. L. Lekgwathi, 32. L. Thwala, 33. T. Chabalala, 05. E. Malinga,

28. O. Onyekachi, 35. I. Chansa, 34. G. Modabi, 07. G. Leremi, 26. C. Chabalala, 18. T. Arendse

Substitutes: 01. A. Phali, 31. K. Mabe, 12. S. Mathe, 16. C. Sibeko, 21. S. Manamela, 24. J. Makhanya,

11. J. Mahlangu, 23. L. Mokoena, 06. B. Lelo – Mbele

Coach: Teboho Moloi

Officials:


Referee: Patrick Kapanga (Malawi)


Assistant 1: Lazarus Matebela


Assistant 2: Siphiwe Jibiliza


4th Official: Jonas Nhlapho