The good news is that Lebogang Manyama has fully recovered from his elbow fracture and will start against Orlando Pirates.

Dumsani Zuma also returns into the starting XI after having missed out on the last competitive match against Chippa United two weeks ago. That league game finished in a goalless draw.

Coach Giovanni Solinas has otherwise decided to keep faith with his side.

This afternoon’s Telkom Knockout semi-final between Chiefs and Pirates marks the 165th time that the two rivals face each other. Amakhosi won 67 of the 164 previous encounters, while the Buccaneers won 40. There were 52 draws, while five matches were abandoned for a variety of reasons.

The cup clash will take place at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. Kick-off is at 15:00.

The referee is Phillip Tinyani.

Chiefs’ line up: Khune, captain (32); Mphahlele (2), Ngezana (30), Booysen (5), Walusimbi (29); Zuma (28), Katsande (31), Maluleka (12), Manyama (21); Billiat (11), Castro (8)

Subs: Vries (16), Cardoso (4), Mahlasela (17), Ntiya-Ntiya (36), Zulu (22), Dax Andrianarimanana (6), Parker (25)

Head Coach: Giovanni Solinas

Pirates’ line-up: Mabokgwane (16); Munetsi (33), Jele, captain (4), Maela (23); Mbekile (37), Nyatema (14), Mlambo (20), Lorch (3), Pule (45); Kutumela (24), Shonga (12)

Subs: Mpontshane (40), Da Silva (36), Mobara (18), Makola (5), Mntambo (32), Qalinge (15), Mulenga (17)

Head coach: Milutin Sredojevic

Referee: Phillip Tinyani

1st Assistant: Emmanuel de Sani

2nd Assistant: Thembisile Windvoel

4th Official: Thokozani Mkhize

Match Commissioner: Job D. Smith