Orlando Pirates look to bury Saint-Eloi Lupopo pain with Carling Knockout charge

Orlando Pirates will be out to restore pride when they welcome defending champions Magesi FC to Orlando Stadium for a Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final clash on Tuesday at 7:30pm.

The Buccaneers are still reeling from their painful exit from the CAF Champions League, where they were edged 5-4 on penalties by DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo on Saturday after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

That setback has left Pirates desperate for redemption on home soil — and the Carling Knockout represents their final chance to add another major trophy to the cabinet this year.

Despite their disappointment in continental competition, the Soweto giants come into this tie with renewed confidence. They have gone unbeaten in their last two matches in regulation time across all competitions, including a dominant 3-0 victory over Lupopo at the Orlando Stadium in the first leg.

The Carling Knockout Cup is the one domestic title that has consistently eluded Pirates. Since the tournament’s inception in 1982, the Buccaneers have lifted the trophy just once — back in 2011, when it was still branded as the Telkom Knockout.

Having already secured the MTN8 crown earlier this season, Pirates now have their sights set on completing a cup double. They began their Carling campaign with a comfortable win over Siwelele FC in the Round of 16 and will be eager to continue that momentum.

Their opponents, Magesi FC, arrive in Soweto brimming with belief. The Limpopo-based side are the reigning Carling Knockout champions — and, coincidentally, they knocked out Pirates in last season’s Round of 16 on their way to lifting the trophy.

Dikwena Tsa Meetse have shown resilience again this term. They are unbeaten in their last two matches across all competitions, including a 2-1 Betway Premiership win over TS Galaxy on 18 October. Before that, they ousted AmaZulu 3-2 in the Carling Knockout Round of 16, showcasing their attacking flair and fighting spirit.

Magesi are now chasing history, aiming to become the first side to win back-to-back league cup titles since Kaizer Chiefs achieved the feat in 2010.

Pirates will welcome back striker Evidence Makgopa and midfielder Thalente Mbatha, both rested for the Lupopo clash. However, Selaelo Rasebotja, Makhehlene Makhaula and Thabiso Sesane remain sidelined as they continue their rehabilitation.

For the visitors, captain Elvis Chipezeze sustained a knock in their last outing, but coach John Maduka has confirmed the injury is not serious. Magesi also have no suspension concerns heading into Tuesday’s clash.

Key players to watch include in-form Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi, who netted his sixth goal of the season against Polokwane City last week, and former Buccaneer Nkanyiso Zungu, now a creative force at Magesi.

Zungu’s playmaking will be crucial if Dikwena Tsa Meetse are to repeat last year’s upset — but at a packed Orlando Stadium, Pirates will be determined to ensure history does not repeat itself.