Sekhukhune United defender Daniel Cardoso believes that Orlando Pirates will head into the Nedbank Cup with revenge on their minds, with the two sides set to battle it out for South Africa’s premier Cup trophy on Saturday evening.
Kick-off is at 6pm (SA, GMT+2)
Babina Noko and the Sea Robbers will take to a sold out Loftus Versfeld this weekend as the Nedbank Cup reaches its concluding round.
Sekhukhune began their Nedbank Cup journey with a thumping 6-0 win against Liver Brothers in the Round of 32, as Roderick Kabwe, Daniel Cardoso, Chibuike Ohizu, Given Mashikinya, Vincent Mncube and Tashreeq Morris got their names on the score sheet.
Babina Noko met Cape Town Spurs in the Round of 16, where they overcame the spirited Mother City outfit in a 2-0 win at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. In the quarterfinals, Sekhukhune claimed a 2-1 win over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium last month.
In the penultimate round of the competition, Sekhukhune faced Stellenbosch FC at the Danie Craven stadium earlier this month. After a 0-0 scoreline during regulation time, Babina Noko eventually booked their place in their final courtesy of a 4-3 win on penalties.
Also, Sekhukhune managed to get the better of Pirates in the DStv Premiership this season, claiming a 2-0 home win in October last year, while the two sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the return fixture, which took place at the Orlando Stadium earlier this month.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Daniel Cardoso mentioned that the Buccaneers will be out for some revenge.
“Pirates are a very good team, no doubt about it,” Cardoso said.
“Just on the weekend they beat AmaZulu 4-0. But also, at the beginning of the season, we beat them 2-0.
“So I think they do want a bit of revenge. We also held them 1-1 at their home ground.
“So yes, it’s going to be a very tough game because also, we have a full team – no suspensions, everyone is at full-health. It’s going to be interesting.”
'WIN IT FOR THE COACH'
Pirates took on Motsepe Foundation Championship side All Stars in their opening Nedbank Cup fixture and claimed a 2-0 win at the Wits Football Stadium in February.
In advancing to the Round of 16, Pirates faced another Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit, this time in the form of Venda Football Academy. The first division outfit managed to drag Pirates into extra time, however, Thembinkosi Lorch’s 113th=minute strike earned the Soweto giants a 2-1 win at home.
Pirates then squared off against ABC Motsepe League side Dondol Stars in the quarterfinals, who managed to see off SuperSport United and AmaZulu en-route to the last eight.
The PSL giants feared for the worst when the game went all the way to the dreaded penalty shootout, however, Pirates held their own to secure a 5-4 victory via spot kicks.
A Soweto Derby was scheduled for the semifinals, as Pirates got one over their bitter rivals in a 2-1 win at the FNB Stadium earlier this month.
Reflecting on the final, midfielder Sandile Mthethwa mentioned that the Pirates players will give it their all to win the trophy for coach Jose Riveiro.
“We are going to win the Nedbank Cup for him,” Mthethwa said.
“Coach Riveiro has done a good job on all the players, he always wants one hundred per cent. He’s that coach that will only give you a chance if you work hard.
“If you don’t, you wont play.”
“Individually, I think he’s really helped me because he told me I should be a hard worker, I should wait for my chance.
“He believes in me, he trusts me when to the other who normally play are not available to play, I’m there.”