Kickoff (Cape Town)
13 January 2009
Orlando Pirates will have right-wing Dikgang 'Terminator' Mabalane back for tomorrow night's fixture against Maritzburg United at Johannesburg Stadium.
Mabalane missed Pirates' 1-0 defeat against SuperSport United through suspension, but will make a huge difference when he reclaims his place against Maritzburg.
Maritzburg, however, also have a surprise package for Bucs in the form on new signing, former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Fanyana Dhladhla who made his debut for Maritzburg against Moroka Swallows on Sunday.
Dhladhla, according to a report in the Witness, has all the skills and goal-scoring ability he could need, yet he insists that he is not at the People's Choice to dazzle, but to work as a team member and help set struggling United's season back on track.
"What I can tell the Maritzburg fans is that I don't promise a lot of magic. I do promise that as a team the players will sort things out by making a collective effort, and not as individuals."
Dhladhla was last week reunited with coach Gordon Igesund on a six-month loan from the Brazilians where he was struggling to earn game time.
The winger was impressive on his debut on the right wing against the Dube Birds, showing his skills and attacking potential have not been blunted too greatly by inactivity at Downs.
Dhladhla was part of an exciting combination at Free State Stars last season - along with Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Lebohang Mothibantwa and Diyo Sibisi - that saw the newly-promoted team finish fifth.
He was snapped up by Sundowns in the January transfer window by then-coach Igesund, but has not featured under current Brazilians boss Henri Michel.
"Michel does not seem to use wingers, which is what I was signed as," the 30-year-old adds.
"Out of the blue Gordon called me and said he had spoken to the [Sundowns] chairman [Patrice Motsepe]. The chairman told me he was reluctant to let me go, but wouldn't stop me.
"Gordon used me in the correct way at Sundowns, and that is why I am happy to join him again. He gave me room to express myself and his only requirement was that we get behind the ball when we lose possession, and always push ourselves harder."
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