Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates lineups – Carling Knockout Cup

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates lineups – Carling Knockout Cup
Credit: Icon Sport

All roads lead to Moses Mabhida Stadium as Richards Bay battle Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 South African time on Saturday, 4 November 2023.

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates match preview

Richards Bay

The Natal Rich Boys are on the back of three defeats and a loss in their last four league games, and this has placed the team 15th on the Premier Soccer League standings.

While their league campaign has been poor, they seem to turn a new leaf in the returning knockout cup competition.

Orlando Pirates vs Richards Bay
Credit: Icon Sport

Richards Bay registered a 2-1 win over Moroka Swallows in the Round of 16. That was their only win in the club's last five outings.

It'll be nice to see how Kaitano Tembo's men fare against cup specialists Orlando Pirates.

Orlando Pirates

Things have also not been going well for the MTN8 champions, like their host.

Orlando Pirates will head to Durban on the back of a disappointing string of results in their last three league games.

Their league form has been a shadow of their cup form, with two draws and one loss in their last three matches.

The Buccaneers recently lost 2-1 to Cape Town Spurs away from home, failing to string together back-to-back wins over Spurs.

Interestingly, Pirates' last victory also came in this competition, just like Richards Bay. Jose Riveiro's side dispatched Cape Town Spurs 2-0 in the opening round to set up this quarter-final bout with the Natal Rich Boys.

Will Pirates' love affair with cup competitions continue, or will Richards Bay upset the odds?

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates team news and probable lineups

Richards Bay have a reason to be positive about the game as striker Sinethemba Mngomezulu returns.

Mngomezulu will be eligible for selection after serving a two-match ban for picking up a red card in a home league defeat to Polokwane City.

Probable lineups for Richards Bay: Salim (GK); Katlego, Mthethwa, Dube, Mabua; Barns, Mohomi, Mhlongo, Mabaso; Gumede, Mbuthuma.

Orlando Pirates meanwhile will be without defenders Paseka Mako and Innocent Maela and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine who are all recovering from injuries.

Patrick Maswanganyi in action for Orlando Pirates
Credit: Icon Sport

Riveiro will be hoping striker Zakhele Lepasa recovers his best form following a barren run in front of goal in the past month.

Lepasa was a substitute in the team's midweek clash, but is expected to make the starting lineup and contribute his quota towards the Buccaneers' quest to advance into the next round.

Probable lineups for Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi (GK); Monyane, Ndah, Xoki, Hotto; Timm, Monare, Lorch, Maswanganyi; Lepasa, Makgopa.

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates confirmed lineups

*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates Head-to-Head

Richards Bay and Orlando Pirates will be meeting for only the third time in both club's history when they lock horns on Saturday.

It's worth mentioning that this clash will be both team's first-ever cup encounter.

They first squared off in a league clash at the Orlando Stadium, which ended goalless in October, 2022.

Pirates then picked up a 2-0 win at the King Zwelithini Stadium in April, 2023 through goals from Terrence Dzvukamanja and Monnapule Saleng to lead on head-to-head.

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Joseph Abadi
Joseph is a freelance writer who spends most of his time writing engaging football contents. Based in Nigeria, Joseph is a die-hard Real Madrid fan with over 8 years experience in the sports betting space. He has covered football match previews, predictions, and news across leagues in Africa and Europe.
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