Top eight things to look out for as Stellenbosch host Orlando Pirates

Stellenbosch’s bid to upset the odds and reach a first ever cup final begins on Sunday as they host Orlando Pirates in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal, which has been switched to Athlone Stadium in Cape Town to accommodate a bigger crowd than the Danie Craven Stadium can accommodate.

Here are eight things to look out for in this potential absorbing clash

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Pirates make a second trip inside a month to take on Stellenbosch, albeit there is change of venue. The Buccaneers were caught cold in their opening game of the season, giving up a sucker punch goal to Antonio van Wyk and losing 1-0. It was only the second time that Stellenbosch had beaten Pirates in 10 meetings. Pirates have won four and there have been four draws with a 4-1 home win for Pirates last season the biggest margin of victory between the two clubs. Pirates won the only previous cup meeting between these two sides – which was a Telkom Knockout first round tie in 2019 when Thembinkosi Lorch scored the only goal of the game.

PIRATES IN THE CAPE

Pirates have lost three times on their last nine trips, although last season collected only a single point away in the Cape as they finished a distanst second to Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership title race. For a club of the longevity of Orlando Pirates, it seems ridiculous they only played their first league game in Cape Town just over four decades ago, losing to Hellenic in May 1979 and then a month later also to the old Cape Town City. It had nothing to do, however, with Pirates, but rather because there had been no prior Cape representation in the National Professional Soccer league where the Buccaneers were founder members in 1971.

THE COACHES

Jose Riviero won two cup titles in his first season with Pirates and, although they did finish a distant second in the league race behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, his debut season must be seen as a success. This campaign he has been given even more quality recruits to work with and there is now promise that Pirates might actually be able to challenge for league honours too. Steve Barker is the coach who has been in his job for the longest of all the 16 top flight bosses, having taken over at Stellenbosch in 2017 and seen them up to the top flight in 2019. He has been to one cup final previously with University of Pretoria in 2009, when they were a second division outfit and lost in the Nedbank Cup final to Moroka Swallows.

SEMIFINAL RECORD

Pirates have lost only one of their previous eight MTN8 semifinal ties, which was against SuperSport United in 2012. When they get to this round, they generally make it count, though they do have five quarterfinal losses in the last seven years.

Stellenbosch are appearing at this stage for the first time but did also make the Nedbank Cup semifinals last season, where they lost on penalties to Sekhukhune United. Coach Steve Barker said this week that taste of a semifinal, and the disappointment that followed their defeat. had given his players added incentive to go one better this time round.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Zakhele Lepasa has now scored as many goals this season as he did in the entire career previously, benefitting from the confidence he got scoring for Bafana Bafana against World Cup semifinalists Morocco. He will go into Sunday’s game with his tail up after a cracker on the turn against Cape Town City on Tuesday. Monapule Saleng continues to provide fine service and the threat of Nkosinathi Sibisi at setpieces must not be under estimated. Stellenbosch will have to shuffle their pack with Devon Titus suspended. Top striker Iqraam Rayners has looked frustrated in recent games as he has only netted a single goal this season but his pace will be a worry for the Sea Robbers.

A BUSY SEASON

With qualification for the African Champions League, plus the upcoming introduction of the new Carling Cup, Pirates are busier than ever and will be finding it difficult to juggle all the balls they have in the air. Their primary task must be to try and topple Sundowns from their perch as reigning champions but cup success is also important and to be able to win a continental title will be a massive cheery on the top. That does not diminish their desire in the MTN8, however, where they are the defending champions after beating AmaZulu in last year’s final.

KEEPING UP WITH THE BIG BOYS

Stellenbosch would have been on the back foot and under siege a few years ago when taking on a club of Pirates calibre, is the admission that coach Barker makes. But his point is, that is now much changed and the club from the Winelands – however small and fresh on the scene – feel they can challenge any of the top teams at any time. They don’t have winning record against the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates but they have given each of them a beating over the last three seasons.

PITCH WOES

The hosting of rugby’s U-20 World Cup at both the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch and Athlone Stadium in Cape Town left both pitches in a patchy state. That probably suits Stellenbosch more than it does Pirates but flowing football might be inhibited on Sunday by the state of the field at Athlone. There is the promise, however, of a decent crowd.