If past occurrences of the clash between AmaZulu and Orlando pirates are anything to go by, the buccaneers will ease past Usuthu when they face each other in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final match on Saturday. However, the inconsistency of the Sea Robbers form of late is one that will have many of their die-hard fans worried going into this match.
Since bagging the MTN 8 earlier this season Jose Riveiro’s chargers have failed to build on their momentum and were surprisingly knocked out in the quarter final of the Carling Cup by a struggling Richards Bay United side. However, seem to have turned things around and learned from this defeat, they have been one of the best performing teams in this edition of Ke Yona and to add to that, they eased past Lamontville Golden Arrows 7-1 this past Saturday.
Usuthu on the hand, has also had its fair share of ups and downs this season, with more downs than ups, the Durban based outfit came close to grabbing silverware for the first time since the arrival of their new owners, when they were knocked out in the semi-final of this seasons Carling Cup.
Pablo Franco Martin’s side is languishing dangerously low on the PSL log standings and a win against Orlando Pirates to reach the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup will come as a great confidence booster heading towards the business end of the season.
History has a lot to say about this fixture and it is not good news for the home side. Over the years, the Sea Robbers have dominated their meeting with Usuthu with 10 wins and 8 draws in the last decade. To compile matters, AmaZulu have failed to win a cup game against the Soweto Giants.
The home side showed character in their last meeting against the Bucs when they held them to a goalless stalemate despite being dominated for the greater part of the match, they tighten things at the back and the visitors managed only a single shot on target. We look to see if Usuthu can build from this draw and spoil Pirate’s efforts to defend their cup.
Moses Mabhida has also become somewhat of a home-away-from-home venue for the mighty buccaneers in recent years. Pirates have won 6 out 9 Cup finals that they have played at the iconic stadium, demonstrating their level of comfort at the venue.
Amazulu will have to dig deep to overcome the odds that are stacked against them when they take to the pitch which is expected to be packed, given these two clubs massive following.
Written by Benny Mhlongo