Orlando Pirates are back in action since last week’s fabulous 7-1 win over Golden Arrows. Today’s job is a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal battle against AmaZulu.
NEDBANK CUP: AMAZULU VS ORLANDO PIRATES STARTING LINE-UPS
The Nedbank Cup final eight continues tonight. Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC have already marched into the last four after beating AmaTuks and SuperSport United, respectively.
The champions, Orlando Pirates are in Durban tonight to battle AmaZulu. The match will be at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, kick-off is at 18:00. Bucs coach Jose Riveiro has made one forced change in central defence.
Orland Pirates: Sipho Chaine, Deon Hotto, Innocent Maela, Thabiso Cesane, Thabiso Lebitso, Miguel Timm, Makhehlene Makhaula, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Kabelo Dlamini, Tshegofatso Mabasa
Subs: Siyabonga Mpontshane, Sandile Mthethwa, Thabiso Monyane, Thalente Mbatha, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Lesedi Kapinga, Karim Kimvuidi, Monnapule Saleng, Zakhele Lepasa
AmaZulu: Veli Mothwa, Thembela Sikhakhane, Rian Hanamub, Taariq Fielies, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Abbubaker Mobara, Ben Motshwari, Tshepang Moremi, Victor Letsoalo, Mondli Mbanjwa, Hendrick Ekstein
Subs: Andile Mbanjwa, Sifiso Ngobeni, Wayde Jooste, Mbongeni Gumede, Celimpilo Ngema, Rowen Human, Augustine Mulenga, Augustine Kwem, Sede Dion.
“It goes with the approach, we are not Golden Arrows,” AmaZulu’s Ben Motshwari Motshwari said via FARPost.
“I think they had a different game plan, approaching that match. I don’t know what they were doing as they were hammered 7-1. But for us, it’s gonna be a different ball game altogether. For us we are cautious, hopefully, they finished those goals against Arrows,” the Orlando Pirates loanee added.
“Coming here is not gonna be easy for them. So we gonna give them a tough time. I think we do have quality, players that can play football and who can go pound-to-pound with them. Yes, they’re a big team, we respect them but this is football, anything can happen,” the 33-year-old midfielder said.
TWO BUCCANEERS SUSPENDED
Orlando Pirates coach Riveiro was forced to keep the same defence line this weekend. Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi are suspended.
Xoki accumulated four yellow cards, while Sibisi was shown a red card against Arrows. The duo will be forced to remain in Johannesburg as Orlando Pirates battle Usuthu. The quarter-final game will be at the Moses Mabhida Stadium at 18:00. The suspensions were confirmed by Unplayable via X. The list also includes Ethan Brooks of AmaZulu, Khuliso Mudau of Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC‘s Thabo Moloisane.
FULL NEDBANK CUP QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND:
- University of Pretoria 1-1 (3-4) Mamelodi Sundowns: Friday, 12 April at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at 19:00
- Stellenbosch FC 4-0 SuperSport United: Saturday, 13 April at the Danie Craven Stadium at 15:00
- AmaZulu vs Orlando Pirates: Saturday, 13 April at the Moses Mabhida Stadium at 18:00
- TS Galaxy vs Chippa United: Sunday, 14 April at the Mbombela Stadium at 15:00.
Will Orlando Pirates win another Nedbank Cup title? Let us know in the comments section below.