Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates will renew their rivalry when they go head-to-head in an Round of 32 Nedbank Cup clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
Kick-off is at 8:15 pm CAT.
The Buccaneers head into the clash following a 2-1 win over Maritzburg United in the league, but despite victory in their most recent encounter the Soweto giants will still feel slightly aggrieved by the heavy defeat suffered to this weekend’s opponents last week.
Muhsin Ertugral’s troops thumped the Sea Robbers 3-0 in the Mother City late last month, with the Cape side currently on a three-game unbeaten run following a draw away to Polokwane City last time out.
Pirates are eight-time winners of the Nedbank Cup (1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2011, 2014) and last year they got as far as the final before suffering a 4-1 defeat at the hands of SuperSport United.
The Urban Warriors have won the Nedbank Cup just once, claiming the trophy back in 2007. Last year they suffered an embarrassing exit current round at the hands of lower-league KwaDukuza United - the teams drew 2-2 after extra time before United won 4-3 on penalties.
In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Ajax have met in nine previous cup matches. The Urban Warriors have claimed five wins compared to three for the Buccaneers, while one match was drawn.
This, though, will be their first meeting in the Nedbank Cup. The teams’ last cup meeting was at the beginning of the 2015-16 season, when they clashed in the quarterfinals of the MTN8: Ajax Cape Town claimed a 1-0 away win thanks to goal from Ndiviwe Mdabuka on their way to lifting the crown.
Predicted Starting 11:
Orlando Pirates: Mabokgwane; Nyauza, Jele, Shitolo, Maela, Mlambo, Munetsi, Dube, Kutumela, Memela, Shonga.
Ajax Cape Town:
What they said:
Orlando Pirates head coach Milutin Sredojevic
“We respect Ajax Cape Town and we know they are a very good defensive-orientated team with top-class counter attacking qualities,” said Sredojevic.
“We go into the game with great determination.
“I believe that we shall be up to the task come this Saturday against Ajax Cape Town, and we are expecting our supporters to come in numbers to support us and give us that sense of having 12 players."
Ajax Cape head coach Muhsin Ertugral
“This is a different game altogether,” Ertugral said. “I can’t wait for kick-off at Orlando Stadium. I know how difficult it is for opposing teams to play in Soweto.
“Micho is a great coach and they are very close to success under his guidance. We know how difficult this game will be.
“They will come at us, but I think they’ll be a little bit more cautious this time around.”
Key Players:
Orlando Pirates
Xolani Mlambo:
The Buccaneers will look to their newest recruit to pull the strings in midfield in place of the suspended Musa Nyatama. The midfielder will be eager to make an instant impact on the Ghost as they set their sights on the next round.
Luvuyo Memela: The Buccaneers attacker has caught the eye for the Sea Robbers this season and has been arguably the club’s star performer since the turn of the year. Memela will be hoping for another solid shift as he and his teammates go in search of redemption.
Ajax Cape Town
Fagrie Lakay: The Urban Warriors livewire has been a revelation since his loan switch to the Mother City. In Yannick Zakri’s absence, Ertugral will be counting on Lakay to get in behind the Pirates defensive line as they go in search of success in Soweto.
Roscoe Pietersen: The Ajax Cape Town defender will don the captain’s armband this weekend in place of the injured Mosa Lebusa. Key not only in keeping things tight at the back, but also starting attacks from the back.
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