Orlando Pirates continue their journey of defending the Nedbank Cup title when they take on AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening in a quarterfinal clash.
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Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
Despite not having the best form in the league, AmaZulu have had a decent cup run, beating Sekhukhune United 2-0 convincingly in the Round of 16.
The last fixture they played was in the DStv Premiership where they beat Cape Town City 1-0 away.
As for Orlando Pirates, the Soweto team is coming off the back of an emphatic 7-1 win over Golden Arrows in the league and they beat second-tier side Hungry Lions 4-0 in the Round of 16 in the Nedbank Cup.
It should be an interesting match-up as AmaZulu made it to the quarters for the first time in 11 years and will be looking to continue their cup run.
☠️ "They're preparing for a Quarterfinal, and so are we."
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 12, 2024
🎙 Assistant Coach | Sergio Almenara
🏆 #NedbankCup Quarterfinal
⚽️ @AmaZuluFootball vs @orlandopirates
📆 Saturday, 13 April 2024
🏟 Moses Mabhida Stadium
🕕 18h00
📺 SuperSport PSL
🎫 @TicketProSA 👉🏿… pic.twitter.com/l6l2MiNKpd
WHAT WAS SAID
AmaZulu’s Ben Motshwari is looking forward to playing against his former club and the fact that his team has an opportunity to win their first trophy in 32 years.
“I feel motivated playing against the big team,” he said.
“You don't need motivation, the game on its own, it's a motivation. But for me, I'm focused on playing the match and helping my team win.”
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is pinning his hopes on in-form Tshegofatso Mabasa to shine once again in this next important match.
“He is performing at a very good level and he is helping us to play better and to only score goals. Hopefully, he continues in the same space and in the same shape because it is nice to see a player of his talent performing at this level,” he said.
“AmaZulu are a team that we respect a lot. They have experienced players who have proved many times that they are excellent players with a good competitive level.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Veli Mothwa, AmaZulu - After giving a Man of the Match performance in the Round of 16 against Sekhukhune, the team will back the goalkeeper to try and keep Pirates at bay with their aggressive attacking football.
Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates - The forward bagged a hat-trick in his last game and it will be expected for him to cause problems for AmaZulu’s defence. He has shown that when he’s on form, stopping him from scoring will be a challenge.
HEAD-TO-HEAD (since 1985)
PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS
Season Cup Result Scorers
1990 Bob Save SF AmaZulu 1-0 Pirates Nzimande
1992 Bob Save 1st round Pirates 2-1 AmaZulu Nogueira, Mahlangu;
Nzimande
1994 BP Top 8 3rd place AmaZulu 1-2 Pirates Farrer; Maponyane,
Mkhalele
2018/19 Telkom KO QF AmaZulu 1-3* Pirates Ntuli; Lorch (2), Mlambo
2021/22 Nedbank Cup L32 Pirates 1-0 AmaZulu Hotto
2022/23 MTN8 Final Pirates 1-0 AmaZulu Saleng
*After extra time