Royal AM and Pirates Announce Starting XIs

Royal AM and Orlando Pirates have confirmed their starting line-ups for today’s MTN8 quarter-final.

It is a first-ever appearance for hosts Royal AM, who surprised many with their third-place finish in their debut season in the DStv Premiership. While John Maduka led the club to that position, it will be Dan Malesela and Khabo Zondo who will be leading the team in this competition, following Maduka’s decision to join Maritzburg United. Malesela will relish another chance in this tournament, having previously led Chippa United to the semi-finals six years ago.

Pirates have the second-best record in the super-eight competition and have won the cup 10 times, three times since it was re-branded; lifting it most recently in 2020 under Josef Zinnbauer. This will be new head coach Jose Riveiro’s first foray into South African cup football, and it will be interesting to see how he approaches the knockout games.

The history between the two clubs is also brief, and last week’s 1-0 league win for Pirates was the first ‘result’ in three games, with both of their league matches last season ending in draws. 

Here’s how they line up:

Royal AM XI:

Orlando Pirates XI: Ofori, Ndah, Sibisi, Maela, Monyane, Hotto, Timm, Mosel, Lepasa, Pule, Eva Nga.

Subs: Mpontshane, Mthethwa, Tlolane, Mako, Shandu, Motshwari, Makgaka, Makaringe, Peprah.

In this edition of iDiski Times we hear from Kaizer Chiefs legend Bernard Parker after his move from Naturena to TS Galaxy. We also talk to Katlego Otladisa who, among other things, touches on the social media stir he was involved in around transfer rumours. There is also interviews with Bonginkosi Makume and Lasse Sobiech, while Pitso Mosimane admits that he would loved to have had the current Mamelodi Sundowns team when he was coaching the team.Read all this and more in the full edition below: