Pirates, All Stars to battle for Carling Cup glory

Newly-crowned Knockout champions Orlando Pirates will go head-to-head with the All-Stars team in the 2025 Carling Black Label Cup match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Buccaneers stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches across all competitions when they claimed a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants after extra-time in the Carling Knockout final last weekend.

The victory earned Pirates a place in this year's Carling Black Label Cup and they are hoping to become the first PSL side to defeat the All-Stars team since the inception of the current format in 2023.

All-Stars, on the other hand, are coming into this match as the reigning Carling Black Label Cup champions, having won back-to-back trophies in 2023 and 2024.

A narrow 2-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC in January 2024 was followed by a comprehensive 3-0 win against Magesi in December 2024, as All-Stars maintained their unbeaten record in the Carling Black Label Cup.

TEAM NEWS

Orlando Pirates will be without the nine players who are part of Bafana Bafana's 2025 AFCON squad, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has sealed a transfer to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.

Meanwhile, Thabiso Sesane and Tapelo Xoli remain sidelined by respective injuries, but the Soweto giants will be boosted by the availability of Patrick Maswanganyi, who missed the game against Gallants due to suspension.

All-Stars, on the other hand, will be under the guidance of experienced Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who will be assisted by Kaizer Chiefs reserve team coach Vela Khumalo and Stellenbosch FC reserve team coach Evangelos Vellios, with Bonginkosi Chonco as the Champion Coach.

The All-Stars team starting line-up set to face Pirates; Brandon Petersen, Thulani Mabaso, Mfundo Vilakazi and Naledi Hlongwane (all Kaizer Chiefs), Marcelo Allende, Vincent Sithole, Thabo Nkabinde and Arthur Sales (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Keabetswe Khonyane (Siwelele FC), Sikhosonke Langa (Sekhukhune United), and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (Marumo Gallants).

Bench: Naphtali Mokoena, Aden McCarthy, Paseka Mako, Manqoba Ozoemena, Pheko Phago, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Pule Mmodi - Kaizer Chiefs and Mduduzi Shabalala (all Kaizer Chiefs), Nuno Santos and Bennet Mokoena (both Mamelodi Sundowns) and Bande Gumede and Adrian Dippenaar (both AmaZulu FC).

WHAT WAS SAID?

All-Stars goalkeeper Brandon Petersen

“Firstly, I was very disappointed that we exited the Carling Knockout early. It is a trophy that we obviously wanted to fight for and win,” Petersen told Kaizer Chiefs media,

“But I think the Carling All-Stars is a great initiative. In the past, it has helped, especially the younger players taking that step up, like last year, some of our Diski boys played and it helped them adjust to the Premiership.”

“I am looking forward to the game and excited to play alongside our young up-and-coming players. Also, our fans have supported us through everything and the players who were voted in are humbled," he added.

"It is a privilege to be there and we want to thank them for their belief in us, and we will do our best to represent them.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yanela Mbuthuma, Orlando Pirates: With Evidence Makgopa on national duty, the 23-year-old striker is expected to lead the attack, having had a good start to life as a Buccaneer - netting five goals in 12 matches this season.

Naledi Hlongwane, All-Stars: The Kaizer Chiefs striker was a standout performer in the 2024 Carling Black Label Cup match against Magesi FC - hitting the back of the net twice, and he will be looking to replicate that performance.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first-ever meeting between Orlando Pirates and the All-Stars team.