Nedbank Cup: Are Orlando Pirates and Tshegofatso Mabasa capable of eliminating another KZN team?

All eyes will be on the defending champion Orlando Pirates when they travel to Durban on Saturday to play AmaZulu in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal.

Ezimnyama Ngenkani, whose year has been somewhat unpredictable, will be trying to build on their seven-goal victory over the Golden Arrows last weekend in the DStv Premiership.

With a hat-trick in that match, Tshegofatso Mabasa was the star, and head coach José Riveiro will be looking for more from the Bafana Bafana attacker.

Mabasa began the season on loan with Moroka Swallows. The Dube Birds’ financial crisis, which resulted in the release of several players and the firing of head coach Steve Komphela, caused Mabasa to return to his parent club.

As their main weapon in the attack against Arrows, the Buccaneers have benefited greatly from this circumstance.

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According to media sources, Riveiro was saying, “I don’t know if he was in a different space or he was asking to go out on loan because he wanted to be on the field constantly or maybe it was difficult at Pirates at that time for whatever reason.”

However, I do know that he is back and playing at a high level, which is assisting us in improving our play and limiting the number of goals we score. It’s encouraging to see a player with his caliber playing at this caliber, so hopefully he sticks in the same spot and maintains the same physique.

Pablo Franco’s Usuthu, who have also been inconsistent in their play, will be on Mabasa’s firing line this weekend.

Franco, though, declared before to the game that his team would not back down from a challenge and would take on their opponents head-on in an attempt to reach the competition’s semifinals.

The very competitive Stellenbosch FC will play the equally ambitious SuperSport United in the first game on Saturday.

Matsatsantsa will be happy for the diversion of the Nedbank Cup after their league season unexpectedly hit a snag and they struggled for results.

After winning the Carling Knockout in December, Steve Barker’s Stellies have established themselves as the second-best team in the league and will be optimistic about winning a second trophy this year.

On Sunday afternoon, TS Galaxy will play their final game of the weekend at Mbombela Stadium against Gqeberha’s Chippa United.

Both teams anticipate finishing in the middle of the table in the league, and they hope to win the cup and make their supporters happy.

Schedule for Nedbank Cup quarterfinals

Friday at 7 p.m.: Mamelodi Sundowns against. University of Pretoria

Saturday: AmaZulu vs. Orlando Pirates at 6 p.m.; Stellenbosch FC vs. SuperSport United at 3 p.m.

Sunday: Chippa vs. TS Galaxy

IOL Athletic