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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal admits he is desperate to have
Benni McCarthy and Thulasizwe Mbuyane available for this weekend's
crunch PSL clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers currently lie sixth on the Premiership standings after they suffered their second defeat of the campaign last weekend against Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
The Brazilians may also be reeling from their 3-2 loss to Ajax Cape Town on Sunday, but Leal knows all too well he will need his best XI to wrench all three points Johan Neeskens' men.
"I need them (McCarthy and Mbuyane) in this match," Leal told The New Age. "They form part of my plans and I am keeping my fingers crossed that come match day, they are both fit and raring to take on Sundowns who are a good team."
A last-gasp Khama Billiat strike saw Sundowns' unbeaten start to the season come to an end against the Urban Warriors.
Although questions had been raised about Downs' concentration levels over the 90 minutes, Leal feels his side's opponents on Saturday will be completely focused.
"I don't think they have defensive issues. They have been conceding late in the game but once they face a team like Pirates, I can bet that they will concentrate for the entire match," the Brazilian-born coach added.
"I am looking at us improving on where we went wrong. And as defending champions, we must be able to bounce back through this match."
