Richards Bay and Orlando Pirates confirmed their starting lineups for this afternoon’s Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
They might be struggling in the league, but Richards Bay found a way to make it to the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout Cup after defeating Moroka Swallows 2-1 a few weeks ago.
The Natal Richboyz have only won one league match after playing 10 matches and they are sitting in 15th place, three points above Cape Town Spurs. There have been rumours that they are looking to rope in Vusi Vilakazi who’s a technical director at Chippa United. A good run in the cup could change the mind of the board and give confidence to Kaitano Tembo and the players going to the league matches.
Meanwhile, under fire Jose Riveiro knows his side will have to deliver this afternoon to ease the pressure on them after a shock 2-1 loss against Spurs on Wednesday in the league.
Pirates have only won one match in open play in their last nine matches in all competitions. They beat Spurs in the round of 16 to make it through to the quarterfinals. They are sitting 13th in the league table.
These two sides have only faced each other twice which was last season where Bucs won one and one fixture ended on a goalless draw.
But despite their poor form of late, Pirates remain a strong favourite for this competition, as one of only two previous winners. The Buccaneers have also finished as runners-up in the Knockout Cup eight times.
Richards Bay XI: Manqele, Mabaso, Mthethwa, Komane, Mabua, Mcineka, Dlamini, Gumede, Miya, Ntsundwana, Mbuthuma
Subs: T.Mthembu, Dube, Mabokgwane, M.Mthembu, Mohlamme, Mhlongo, Mabuya, Mngomezulu, Mohomi
Orlando Pirates XI: Buthelezi, Hotto, Xoki, Sibisi, Shandu, Timm, Maswanganyi, Lorch, Saleng, Erasmus, Makgopa
Subs: Ofori, Ndah, Monyane, Monare, Kimvuidi, Ndlondlo, Otladisa, Mofokeng, Lepasa
