Orlando Pirates will be looking to put their MTN8 disappointment behind them when they welcome Sekhukhune United to the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, November 7, with a place in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals at stake.
The defending champions have an opportunity to put smiles back on the faces of their supporters by keeping their title defence on track, but they must first overcome a familiar opponent in the Limpopo-based Babina Noko.
The quarter-final clash is scheduled to kick off at 3pm, with the Buccaneers enjoying home-ground advantage against a side they have already beaten three times this season.
However, despite their impressive record against Sekhukhune, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is taking nothing for granted, warning his players that their opponents will be determined to turn their fortunes around.
The Soweto giants defeated Sekhukhune in both legs of their MTN8 semi-final before registering another victory over them in the Betway Premiership.
Those results will undoubtedly give Pirates confidence heading into Saturday’s encounter.
Ouaddou has warned his charges against complacency, describing the encounter as a particularly difficult assignment.
“It will be one of the most difficult games. Why? Because we have already hurt Sekhukhune three times this season,” said Ouaddou.
“We have to prepare very well and to be at the highest of our form to be able to win that game, because I think it’s a very tough opponent,” he added.
Ouaddou’s caution comes despite Pirates enjoying a strong run of form across competitions, with the team showing defensive resilience and attacking efficiency in recent outings.
Their 2-1 Soweto Derby victory over Kaizer Chiefs last weekend further boosted their confidence as they now turn their attention to the defence of their Carling Knockout crown.
However, the Pirates coach insists his team still has room for improvement, particularly when it comes to controlling matches consistently.
For the Buccaneers, Saturday’s encounter represents an opportunity to take another step towards silverware after missing out on the MTN8 title.
Zothwane refuses to dwell on past defeats
While Sekhukhune face a daunting challenge against a team that has dominated their meetings this season, Zothwane insists his players must approach the match with belief rather than fear.
The Babina Noko coach believes past results will count for little when the two sides meet in a knockout encounter where a place in the last four is the ultimate prize.
“You can’t dwell on the past based on what happened in our past results against Orlando Pirates. It’s a new game,” said Zothwane.
He explained that his responsibility as coach is to ensure his players understand Pirates’ strengths and weaknesses while giving them the confidence to express themselves on the pitch.
Zothwane also acknowledged the difficulty of playing at the Orlando Amstel Arena, where the Buccaneers traditionally enjoy strong support.
However, he believes his team can rise to the occasion if the players take responsibility and execute their game plan effectively.
The Sekhukhune mentor has also indicated that his side will make tactical adjustments for their fourth meeting with Pirates this season, rather than simply repeating the approach that failed to deliver positive results in their previous encounters.
His team will be particularly eager to improve on its scoring record against the Buccaneers, having failed to find the back of the net in their three previous meetings this campaign.
A cup battle with everything at stake
Pirates booked their place in the quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Milford, while Sekhukhune advanced after beating Richards Bay 3-1.
Both teams will therefore enter Saturday’s contest knowing that victory would bring them one step closer to lifting the trophy.
For Sekhukhune, defeating the defending champions would represent a significant statement of intent and an opportunity to end their frustrating run against the Soweto giants.
With the Buccaneers seeking to protect their crown and Babina Noko desperate to rewrite the script, the stage is set for a fiercely contested quarter-final.