Carling Knockout Cup: Orlando Pirates battle Siwelele for quarter-final spot

The two teams head into the fixture in contrasting form with Bucs having won their last seven consecutive matches in all competitions whilst the visitors have won once in eight PSL matches.

"It's another important tournament for us as we take all competitions and matches very seriously," said AmaBhakaniya coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to reporters.

"It will be a very strong opponent, and I did say after our win against them that they will not remain in the position they were in. They showed it in their next match (win against Marumo Gallants).

"We are expecting very strong and organised opposition, and for us we will put all our energy into going into the next round," concluded the Moroccan.

The Buccaneers run in this competition will be under scrutiny following disappointing consecutive first round exits in this competition against Richards Bay and Magesi.

"If we going to go there and say that Orlando Pirates hasn't done well in this cup then we will be making a big mistake, said Siwelele head coach Lehlohonolo Seema at the pre-match conference.

"Because we are looking at the current form, the way they are doing at the moment, they are doing very well. So, we have to make sure we put our best foot forward in Orlando."

The visitor will be buoyed by their recent derby victory against Gallants and the arrival of former Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa ahead of the clash.

Meanwhile, Pirates will have a lot of option to choose from in attack with in-form Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Kamogelo Sebelebele, Tshegofatso Mabasa all available for the fixture.

Siwelele will need to do better defensively after conceding six goals in the last five matches against a team which has scored 13 goals in five games in all competitions, conceding none. 

The two teams will face off at Orlando Stadium at 15H00 on Saturday.