The Bucs are out to secure a place in the final but the Citizens are high on confidence
Orlando Pirates have no margin for error as they host Cape Town City in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final on Saturday.
Pirates head into the match at the Orlando Stadium following an unconvincing 1-1 draw in the first leg in Cape Town on Wednesday and will need an improved performance if they have to silence Eric Tinkler’s men.
The Sea Robbers started the match well with teen sensation Relebohile Mofokeng giving them a 15th minute lead but the Citizens were the better side, forcing goalkeeper Sipho Chaine into many good saves, before and after Jaedin Rhodes’ 61st minute equaliser.
Pirates were easily cut through by the well drilled Cape Town and coach Jose Riveiro cannot allow that to happen again if he wants to make it three straight MTN8 titles.
A place in the final, where the winner will take on either Mamelodi Sundowns or Stellenbosch, adds spice to the match.
Head-to-head
Despite the impressive performance from Cape Town, Pirates bossed this fixture last season, securing 2-0 wins both home and away.
The Western Cape side last beat Pirates in the first round of the 2022-23 season when they won 2-1 at home.
Recent form
Pirates have so far played four competitive matches, winning two and drawing as many.
They beat Super Sport United 3-1 in the MTN8 quarter-final before a goalless draw away to Disciplines FC of Madagascar in the CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg.
They would thump Disciples 4-0 in the second leg to advance to the second round before the 1-1 draw in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, Cape Town City have been involved twice, both in the MTN8, edging out Sekhukhune United 1-0 in the quarter-final before Wednesday’s draw.
What did they say?
Jose Riveiro took issue with the state of the pitch at the DHL Stadium, blaming it for the poor display of his team.
“Did you see the field? We tried, we wanted to play with the ball on the grass. Sometimes it is difficult. The football that we tried to play was a little bit complicated,” he said after the match.
“We knew we accepted the risk, we knew we were going to lose the ball sometimes and suffer one or two transitions, it happened but I think we are growing.”
Tinkler, meanwhile, wants the same positive energy in the second leg from his charges.
“Obviously going to the second leg, we have to play with the same energy and the same intensity, but with a more positive mentality, knowing that we need to get the away goal,” he said.
“You have to go there and score. You literally have to go with the same mentality as playing at home.
“We have to go there, be positive, look to dominate possession, look to create as many chances as possible, and then obviously put the ball in the back of the net, and then you’re back in the game.”
Time and where to watch?
The match will kick off at 15.00 at the Orlando Stadium and will be live on SuperSport TV and SABC.
Starting Line-ups
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane, Ndah, Monyane, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Mofokeng, Mabasa
SUBS: Dladla, Rasebotja, Kimvuidi, Maela, Dlamini, Makgopa, Gilberto, Sibisi, Timm
Cape Town City XI: Keet, Mkhize, Petrus, Domingo, Nyama, Mokotjo, Cupido, Darwin, Tjiueza, Rhodes, Makaringe
Subs: Oliaro, Fisher, Frances, Gordinho, Goedeman, Seeretsi, Ahshene, Amato, Soukouna
