Orlando Pirates get their Nedbank Cup campaign up and running away to 2021 champions Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at the Moses Mabhida Stadium later today.
TTM famously won the Nedbank Cup during their brief spell as a top-flight side after purchasing the status of Bidvest Wits, beating Chippa United 1-0 in the final.
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The club, however, endured a rapid decline and now find themselves reborn as a third division side competing in the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League.
They secured their place in the last 32 with a 2-1 provincial final victory over Real Hearts and must now overcome last season’s runners-up and current Betway Premiership leaders Pirates if they are to progress in the competition.
The Buccaneers are enjoying an excellent season, at the top of the Betway Premiership standings, having already lifted both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout cups.
They have lost just twice in the league, in the opening weeks of their campaign but are on a 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions, having seen their CAF Champions League campaign ended abruptly on penalties in the second qualifying round.
Anything less that a Bucs win would be a massive shock as they attempt a historic quadruple, especially against a side without a victory in their last four league games.
Bucs will be without Lebone Seema, however, with the defender serving a one-match suspension, while Selaelo Rasebotja and Sihle Nduli are sidelined with injury.
Ahead of the game, TTM striker Bonginkosi Sqwaya told SuperSport: “Obviously, it is a wonderful feeling playing against Pirates. It Nedbank Cup Last 32. We know they are leaders of the Betway Premiership.
“It’s an open draw. There were no teams seeded. We could have drawn any team. We are playing against Pirates. It’s not going be an easy game. We will see what happens on the day.”
Bucs boss Abdeslam Ouaddou added: “I would like to tell you that we will approach this competition the same way we have approached all competitions since the beginning of the season.
“Every game we play, we play to win. Every competition we enter, we enter it to win. The Nedbank Cup is a very important target for us.
“What I can assure you is that this is a competition to be taken seriously, and we will put out our strongest team. Let me tell you, we have only strong players.”