After Orlando Pirates' postponed Betway Premiership fixture against Royal AM, which was scheduled for Thursday, Soccer Laduma analyses the implications ahead of the Soweto Derby.
Even though Pirates are in a title race, the looming derby encounter against Kaizer Chiefs on 1 February could have influenced certain decisions, also prior to their Nedbank Cup last 32 clash against Richards Bay on Sunday.
The biggest worry for the Soweto giants is goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, who is sitting on three yellow cards and the game against Thwihli Thwahla would have afforded Ezimnyama a chance to get him a fourth professional yellow card against the KwaZulu-Natal side.
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Because that would have meant he can miss the Nedbank Cup clash against the Natal Rich Boyz and be available for the derby against Chiefs.
As things stand, Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro may not risk his number one goalkeeper against Richards Bay, as another yellow card would mean the Bloemfontein native shot-stopper would miss the biggest game in the South African football calendar.
However, the Ghost do not have other suspension worries ahead of their Nedbank Cup round of 32 clash with Richards Bay, with key players Relebohile Mofokeng only on two yellow cards and other stars also on the safe side.
The Buccaneers though are sweating over the availability of right-backs, as Thabiso Lebitso, who returned from injury against Al Ahly, got injured again and was replaced by youngster Siyabonga Ndlozi, with Thabiso Monyane also on the mend, while Deano Van Rooyen was not in the squad against the Egyptian giants.
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Even though Pirates could recover one of the experienced right-backs, with only one game before the derby, it could be too much of a risk to take against the Natal Rich Boyz.
Riveiro is also on a suspension tightrope, as he carries three yellow cards and a caution against Richards Bay would see him coach from the stands against arch-rivals Chiefs, who will have head coach Nasreddine Nabi back from his two-match ban.
