“Despite our disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday evening, we are all geared-up for tomorrow’s fixture against Moroka Swallows at Orlando Stadium and we will sweat out for the three points,” says Bucs veteran goalkeeper Williams Okpara.

His sentiments follows Orlando Pirates less impressive performance against Mamelodi Sundowns, where Pirates’ winning momentum was halted by the Tshwane-based club in an exhilarating football spectacular played on Wednesday evening.

But the former Nigerian International who is currently the goalkeeper coach of the ‘Sea Robbers’, says that Saturday’s match against Swallows will be a totally different ball-game and nothing much should be read into the midweek result. After beating ‘The Dube Birds’ in their own backyard in the first leg, Pirates will certainly go into this game with a more determined approach and try to collect maximum points and revive their title hopes as the end of the season is fast approaching.

“Past results and history cannot decide the outcome of any derby. Though Orlando Stadium has been very good for us in recent games as we have scored six goals and conceded only one, we are not going to underestimate Moroka Swallows and assume that we will easily overcome them because we will be playing at Orlando Stadium. We are definitely going into this match as favourites because we are the hosts, but, that will mean nothing when we meet on Saturday.

“I think it’s going to be a tense affair between two teams with a rich history in SA’s football, and if there’s anything that will make us succeed, that could be our positive attitude and team spirit,” Okpara explains.

He also acknowledged that the level of concentration in Bucs’ defence has been a concern at the moment, “nonetheless we have been working hard to try to solve that problem,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates will be involved in another road show this afternoon in downtown Johannesburg - Carlton Center. This initiative aims to galvanise support for tomorrow’s Original Soweto derby which is scheduled for Orlando Stadium.

Kick of is at 20:15.