Pirates seeking entrance to the final in Gallants clash

Following their success in the CAF Champions League, Orlando Pirates now turn their attention to the Nedbank Cup semifinal where they’ll be going up against Marumo Gallants at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Pirates are unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, advancing in the CAF Champions League, and closing the gap between themselves and Mamelodi Sundowns in the process in the Betway Premiership.

As for Gallants, the Free State outfit have been on a decent run in the league, as they are also unbeaten in their last three matches. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw against SuperSport United.

WHAT WAS SAID

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is confident his team is well-prepared for their Nedbank Cup semifinal clash with Marumo Gallants on Sunday.

“It’s not about getting lessons because I’m in the stands, like you said there is an opportunity to play against Marumo,” Riveiro told the media.

“It didn’t go well for us that time and from there we have the opportunity to continue to analysing them, visualising them, trying to understand what are they looking for, what kind of football team they want to be.

“We played them I think few days after the new coach it was a little bit of uncertainty about what kind of team, what kind of game are we going to play there.

“So, the possibility to learn is that something that is presented to us every week not only in the games that we are playing against them. We know them very well, I’m sure that they know us as good as we know them so in our days in football there’s no secret what teams are capable to do.

“It’s about the way you want to approach the game on the day, and we need to be ready for different scenarios.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mohau Nkota, Orlando Pirates – The dynamic winger has shown what he’s made of on the continental stage and will be hoping to translate that same form in the domestic cup competition. Known for showing up in difficult matches, Nkota will be hungry for an opportunity against Gallants.

Gabadinho Mhango, Marumo Gallants – The forward might have something to prove to his former employers, the Buccaneers. A clinical striker on a good day, Mhango will be gunning for the chance to shine in the Nedbank Cup and play a part in possibly knocking out the “cup specialists”.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Head-to-head (since 2021)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2021/22 Nedbank Cup, R16 Gallants 1-1* Pirates Ndlondlo (pen);