Mosimane: We're ready to face Bucs

The bad news for Orlando Pirates is that they start the defence of the BP Top Eight against SuperSport United on Saturday without a head coach following the resignation of Gordon Igesund, who has since joined Santos.

But the good news is that Warren Lewis, Steve Lekoelea, Thabo Mngomeni and Brendon Silent - the four Buccaneers who spent last season watching action from the stands nursing an assortment of injuries - are now available.

And as Pirates prepare for Saturday's season opener at a venue still to be decided - Johannesburg Stadium has been strongly hinted as a possible venue - they know they will be holding a tiger by the tail against a rejuvenated Supersport United.

A 6-1 hammering to Pirates in a league game at Vosloorus last season must have dented their pride and while assistant coach Pitso Mosimane played down their desire to avenge that defeat, there was a subtle hint that they would want to repay the Buccaneers for that humiliation.

"Our preparations have been going well," said Mosimane.

"We have just won the Peoples Bank tournament in the Northern Province and the boys are slowly regaining their fitness and sharpness."

Mosimane disclosed that Clyde Mahlangu has been transferred to Classic. Anton Greyling and Phillip Evans have gone to Britain for trials and Gareth Orritt and Mike McCall have been placed on the transfer list.

Zambian signings Emmanuel Zulu and Zimbabwean Makwinji Soma-Phiri have not yet arrived, although Zulu's work permit has been processed. The duo could join the squad ahead of Saturday's game.

Augusto Palacios, who is in charge of Pirates while they search for a coach, said he and assistants Alejandro Heredia and Harris Choeu had eased up after pushing the players hard for two weeks.

"Their fitness is satisfactory," said Palacios, "and it is good to see Lekoelea, Mngomeni, Lewis and Silent back in training. We will not rush them into action."

The winner stands to receive R1-million and the runners-up R600 000, while the losing semifinalists will take home R325 000 each.

If there is a deadlock, the golden goal rule and a penalty shootout will apply.

Kaizer Chiefs face Ria Stars in the second quarterfinal match on Sunday. Sundowns travel to Goble Park in Welkom to face Free State Stars on August 11 and Jomo Cosmos line up against Santos at Olympia Stadium on August 12.