Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) will square off with in-form Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 fixture at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Vhadau Vha Damani have been struggling in Limpopo's ABC Motsepe League Stream A, as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Tzaneen United in their most recent game. This was after they had succumbed to a 5-0 defeat to Selwane White Vultures and they are winless in four matches in the competition.
However, Tshakhuma will be hoping for a change of fortunes in the Nedbank Cup, which has been hailed as the cup of dreams. The Limpopo side did go all the way and win this tournament in 2021 and it remains their only major title to date.
The third-tier outfit will be up against a Pirates side that is undefeated in their last 12 matches across all competitions. Bucs made it back-to-back victories when they claimed a 2-0 win over AmaZulu FC in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday.
Having already won this season's MTN8 and Carling Knockout, the Buccaneers are on a quest to become the first team to win the quadruple in the PSL era, with the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup up for grabs.
TEAM NEWS
There are no suspension worries for Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, but their visitors, Orlando Pirates, will be without several players due to various reasons.
Bucs defender Lebone Seema will be unavailable due to a one-match suspension, while his teammates Selaelo Rasebotja and Sihle Nduli are busy with their respective injury rehabilitation.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila striker Bonginkosi Sqwaya
“Obviously, it is a wonderful feeling playing against Pirates. It Nedbank Cup Last 32. We know they are log leaders of the Betway Premiership," Sqwaya said.
"It's an open draw. There were no teams seeded. We could have drawn any team. We are playing against Pirates. It's not going be an easy game. We will see what happens on the day."
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou
“I would like to tell you that we will approach this competition the same way we have approached all competitions since the beginning of the season,” Ouaddou said.
“Every game we play, we play to win. Every competition we enter, we enter it to win. The Nedbank Cup is a very important target for us...
“What I can assure you is that this is a competition to be taken seriously, and we will put out our strongest team. Let me tell you — we have only strong players.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD (since 2021)
PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS
N/A – This will be the first cup meeting between Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Orlando Pirates.
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2020/21 TTM 0-3 Pirates Hotto, Mhango, Makaringe
2020/21 Pirates 0-0 TTM
ALL COMPETITIONS (since 2021)
P W D L GF GA
TTM 2 0 1 1 0 3
Pirates 2 1 1 0 3 0