GAME DAY | TTM seek Nedbank Cup miracle against Orlando Pirates
Nedbank Cup
Relebohile Mofokeng is hitting form at the right time for Orlando Pirates, especially with the World Cup just four months away.
Image: Backpagepix
The vibrant magic of the Nedbank Cup will sweep across South Africa this weekend as football fans gear up for a thrilling showcase of passion through the Round of 32.
One match stands out on Saturday's schedule: the clash between the 2021 champions, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM), and the famed Orlando Pirates at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Although it is a home fixture for the Limpopo side, devastating floods in their region have forced TTM to forego home-ground advantage. Their choice of Moses Mabhida Stadium — renowned for its electric atmosphere and rich history of hosting monumental fixtures — is a tactical one, though the venue has historically been a happy hunting ground for Pirates.
The Buccaneers are firmly positioned at the summit of the Betway Premiership and have already clinched both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout cups this season. Under the guidance of coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the team is on a high, with aspirations of achieving a historic quadruple by securing both the Premiership and the Nedbank Cup.
Pirates have lost only twice in the league this season, both in the early weeks of their campaign. Since then, they have embarked on an impressive 16-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
This dominant local form follows a bitter exit from the CAF Champions League in the second qualifying stage, where their hopes vanished in a tense penalty shootout. Since that continental disappointment, their focus has shifted entirely to domestic glory.
As they gear up for Saturday’s 3.pm kick-off, anything less than a victory for Pirates would be a monumental upset. TTM, now competing in the third-tier ABC Motsepe League, have struggled recently and are winless in their last four league encounters.
The pressure is palpable as Pirates pursue their ambitious goals. The possibility of the Soweto giants lifting four trophies in a single season is a tantalising prospect that echoes the club’s storied history and would mark a first in the PSL era.