Orlando Pirates on high alert: dodging upsets in Nedbank Cup showdown against Casric Stars

Orlando Pirates are poised to reclaim their winning form when they host Casric Stars on Saturday at the Orlando Amstel Arena, kicking off at 6 pm.

This Nedbank Cup Round of 16 encounter carries significant implications for both sides as they aim to advance in one of the country's most prestigious cup tournaments.

For Pirates, the match represents an opportunity not only to bounce back from their recent defeat to Sundowns but also to move closer to adding another piece of silverware to their collection.

After experiencing the sting of a 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, which snapped their impressive 14-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, Pirates are eager to secure a win and regain momentum on the path to lifting the Nedbank Cup.

Ranked among the tournament favourites, Pirates face a resurgent Casric Stars—an underdog with nothing to lose. The visitors, hailing from the Motsepe Foundation Championship, are riding high on a wave of confidence following a seven-match unbeaten streak.

Their own aspirations are ambitious; they are hoping for a historic advance to the quarter-finals, a feat they have never achieved before.

As both teams prepare for the showdown, Pirates face a selection dilemma, compounded by injuries to key players, including Thabiso Lebitso, Sihle Nduli, and Tapelo Xoki. The fitness of midfielder Kamogelo Sebelebele remains uncertain following his injury against Sundowns.

Despite these challenges, Pirates have previously clinched the MTN8 and Carling Knockout titles this season, thus their quest for a potential quadruple remains very much alive.

Casric Stars, on the other hand, are buoyed by the return of Lelethu Skelem, who played a crucial role in their progression to this stage by assisting in their 3-0 victory over the Army Rockets in their previous match.

Hailing from Mpumalanga, they have demonstrated their prowess, challenging for promotion while putting forth a formidable performance in the Nedbank Cup.

Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou acknowledged the threat posed by Casric, stating, "We know that Casric Stars is a very competitive team, playing in the First Division championship.

"They have demonstrated their capabilities this season, scoring 20 goals while only conceding 15. We need to take this game seriously."

In confirmation of their determination and readiness, Casric Stars coach Bucs Mthombeni noted the challenging environment of playing at the Orlando Amstel Arena, citing the impressive home form of Pirates and the passionate support from their fans.

"Football doesn't have a referee on the day. If we can stick to our game plan and play without fear, anything can happen," he said, showcasing a mixture of respect and conviction ahead of the match.

The stakes couldn't be higher as the two teams gear up for their maiden clash.

Pirates will look to establish dominance, while Casric Stars will seize the moment to heighten their ambitions in the tournament, promising an exhilarating matchup for fans and players alike.