Orlando Pirates vs Siwelele FC: Preview, team news, time and where to watch

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Orlando Pirates vs Siwelele FC: Preview, team news, time and where to watch
Image - Pirates

Orlando Pirates will seek to end their poor record in the Carling Knockout as they begin this season’s campaign with a home Round of 16 match against struggling Siwelele FC on Saturday.

Pirates have been in great form, winning their last nine games in all competitions, while they are unbeaten in 10, and head into the match as overwhelming favourites.

The Buccaneers have been good in cup games in the last three years, winning the MTN8 in four straight years, while they have two Nedbank Cups in three years but the Carling Knockout has proven tough as the last time they won the competition was in the 2011-12 season under Brazilian coach Julio Cesar Leal.

Orlando Pirates vs Siwelele FC

Form guide

Pirates are coming off a 2-0 win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday which was their ninth straight in all competitions and what should scare Siwelele is the fact that Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side have not conceded in their last six games while scoring a total of 17 goals over that period.

That makes Pirates heavy favourites to win the match as they take on a Siwelele team that have won just two of their nine league games and lost six across that run.

However, Siwelele come into the match high on confidence after winning 1-0 against Marumo Gallants in midweek.

Orlando Pirates
Image – Pirates

Pirates will, however, be upbeat as they have already played Siwelele this season, having beaten them 1-0 in the PSL on September 23.

How did Pirates and Siwelele fare last season?

Pirates have not had luck in this competition and last season was no different as they suffered the shock result of the Round of 16.

The Buccaneers were beaten 3-2 by eventual champions Magesi FC as the then newly-promoted team romped to a 3-0 lead in the first half before the Buccaneers rallied in the second half but it was not enough.

Relebohile Mofokeng Orlando Pirates
Image – Pirates

Siwelele, then known as SuperSport United, also suffered elimination at the Round of 16 as they were thrashed 4-0 by Kaizer Chiefs, a match they had a man sent off.

Team news

Pirates do not have fresh injury concerns and will have their big hitters around for the match which allows them to field a strong line-up although Ouaddou is likely to shake up things by giving opportunities to the players who have not been heavily involved so far.

What have they said?

Abdeslam Ouaddou Orlando Pirates 1
Image – Pirates

Pirates coach Ouaddou recognises his team have struggled in this competition but is unfazed by history as he is looking to write his own chapter.

“What happened before, for me I was not there. So, for me it’s to focus on the future and to try with the players to do well,” he said.

“We know it will not be easy [to win], every competition is difficult, and every team definitely wants to win that competition that is very important in South Africa.

“So, for us it’s another game – another opportunity for my players to give their best and to try to go through that [last 16] stage.”

Time and where to watch

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 at the Orlando Stadium with SuperSport PSL and SABC 1 providing live coverage.

Orlando Pirates predicted lineup

Orlando Pirates 3
Image – Pirates

Chaine; Lebitso, Hotto, Sibisi, Mbokazi; Nduli, Mbule, Mofokeng; Sebelebele, Appollis, Mabasa

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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