PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Former Safa Eden Region champions Oriented Birds FC will lock horns with Royal Blues in a Western Cape ABC Motsepe Provincial League encounter on Saturday 1 February at Rustdene Stadium in Beaufort West.

The high-flying Birds will be looking for a positive result from their first game of the new year.

The Birds entered the Provincial League in the 2023/24 season - this is the second season that the Kwanokuthula-based side are in the semi-professional league.

So far, the Birds have played nine games, registering five victories, two draws and two losses - scoring 19 goals and conceding 12.

Head coach

Oriented Birds' head coach Welcome Qalanto played for the likes of Chippa United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Golden Arrows and Steenberg United.

Qalanto told the Knysna-Plett Herald that "I feel good to be back on the field of play. The boys are looking very good and are ready for the challenges in the Provincial League".

'Ready for game'

He added that prior to the festive season holidays he had sat down with the players and given them a programme to follow while they were having a break.

He emphasised that playing away from home "is always a mountain to climb, but as the team they (players) are more than ready for the game".

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