Threepeat-chasing Pirates look to avoid Baroka upset

Orlando Pirates will continue their defence of the Nedbank Cup by facing Baroka FC in the Round of 16 encounter at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Buccaneers saw their five-match unbeaten run across all competitions come to an end when they succumbed to a 4-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in a top-of-the-log Betway Premiership clash last weekend.

Pirates have now turned their attention to the Nedbank Cup as they look to keep their threepeat ambitions alive having won the last two editions of the lucrative tournament in 2023 and 2024.

The Soweto giants will be up against a mid-table Motsepe Foundation Championship side Baroka FC who are winless in their last two matches having drawn 1-1 with University of Pretoria in a league game last weekend.

Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele's best runs in the Nedbank Cup came in 2016 and 2020 as they reached the semifinals on both occasions, and they will be hoping to go one step further, by reaching this season's final.

TEAM NEWS

Both teams have no suspension worries coming into this cup clash, but Orlando Pirates have a growing injury list.

Thabiso Sesane has been added to Bucs' injury list which includes Zakhele Lepasa, Thabiso Monyane and Thabiso Lebitso.

Meanwhile, Olisa Ndah and Goodman Mosele are working on their fitness, but their Bucs teammate Thalente Mbatha could be available against Baroka after missing the game against Sundowns due to a minor injury.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro

"I think mentally we did our job also trying to understand why we couldn’t be as good as we would have liked to be [against Sundowns]. It was a good reflection from our side about understanding what happened," Riveiro said.

"Trying to make that tough week, not only the last game, but the week itself, something we can capitalise on in the future as well. Another opportunity for us as a team to compete in the Nedbank Cup, happy to have some time to prepare for the gamer this week, we’re looking forward to Saturday to come back to Orlando.

“It's been a while, I think the last game was CRB in the Champions League, so it’s been a while. We are well prepared, knowing the type of opponent we’ll be playing, so yeah, we’re prepared.”

Baroka FC interim coach Foster Hlongwane

“We spoke about it (Baroka's win over Pirates in the 2018 Telkom Knockout final), we addressed it to the players. We looked at the personalities that were there and what we could take from that. Those guys were willing to die for each other, they were willing to make a mark for themselves,” Hlongwane said.

“If you look at all the players, it changes the status of their careers and their families and the badge which is the club. So, it is not only about us, it is about how well we want to be remembered. We heard the cries of the chair [Khurishi Mphahlele] and our supporters, they want this team to be in the Premiership

"And to do well in this cup and gain momentum. So, we have to go into this match with a positive mindset and strong mentality."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Deon Hotto, Orlando Pirates: The winger-come-full-back is in good form at the moment having scored twice and grabbed an assist in Bucs' last two matches which were against Sundowns, and Sekhukhune United.

David Mothipi, Baroka FC: The attacker is playing some of his best football at the moment having found the back of the net five times in his last eight matches including one goal in the win over Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup.

Head-to-Head (since 2016/17)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2018/19 Telkom KO, Final Baroka 2-2* Pirates Dickens, Mdantsane (pen); Nyatama, Lorch

*After extra time, Baroka won on penalties

CUP RECORD

P W D L GF GA

Pirates 1 0 1 0 2 2

Baroka 1 0 1 0 2 2

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2017/18 Baroka 1-1 Pirates Banda; Qalinge