Marumo Gallants host Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup round of sixteen this evening, and there have been interesting selections in the starting line-ups.
Gallants are technically the defending champions, having won the tournament last year when they were still known as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. When they won the cup owner Abram Sello had already taken over and expressed his intent to change the name, but could only do so at the end of the season.
So while TTM’s name is on the trophy, this is the team that won it last season, and many of the players will be looking to repeat the accolade.
But to do that they will need to progress through the knockout stages, and they could perhaps face their biggest hurdle tonight.
Pirates will be hurting after losing the Soweto derby on the weekend, and will be looking to bounce back against an opponent they have never lost to.
The Bucs are for all intents and purposes out of the league race. The Buccaneers may be fourth, but with just eight games remaining, they can achieve no more than 56 points, that is if they win all their outstanding games. With log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns already on 51 points, that seems unlikely. So Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids must have their eyes set on this trophy and of course the CAF Confederation Cup.
In their two league meetings this season, they played to a goalless draw, before Pirates won 2-1 at Orlando Stadium in December. Last season they also played to a goalless draw, while Pirates won 3-0 away.
This is one of the key ties of the last sixteen, and the winner is likely to be considered one of the favourites to lift the cup at the end of the season, alongside Sundowns, who progressed to the quarter-finals last night, and their Tshwane neighbours SuperSport United, who play their round of 16 game on Saturday.
Pirates welcome back Richard Ofori to the starting line-up, after the Ghanaian returned to fitness.
Here’s how they line-up:
Marumo Gallants XI: Ndlovu, Nkili, Mvelase, Mabotja, Nhlapo, Timm, Ngema, Ndlondlo, Otladisa, Dion, Molangoane.
Subs: Arubi, Manaka, Lamola, Gumede, Mnyamane, Mphambaniso, Sibeko, Kumalo, Khiba
Orlando Pirates XI: Ofori, Jele, Ndah, Mako, Shandu, Monare, Mosele, Hotto, Dlamini, Peprah, Lepasa.
Subs: Mpontshane, Mabaso, Dzvukamanja, Mntambo, Maela, Sam, Mabasa, Nyauza, Lorch
