Orlando Pirates FC gear up for a high-stakes League Cup clash with Milford FC in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. The match kicks off at 19:00 at Orlando Stadium, with the Buccaneers looking to extend their winning momentum into the knockout competition.
Pirates enter the tie in formidable domestic form, sitting second in the Premier Soccer League with 22 points from eight games, having recorded seven wins and a draw. They are just one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and have won their last three league matches, part of a recent run of four wins and one loss in their last five outings. They have scored 19 goals and conceded only one this season, giving them a commanding goal difference of plus 18. Their most recent outing was a commanding 4-0 victory over African Stars in the CAF Champions League last Thursday, which followed a 1-0 away win against the same opponent on Saturday 17 October. The team's top scorer this season is T. Moremi with four goals in six appearances.
Opposition and expected line-ups
Milford FC travel to Soweto following a 1-0 away win against Golden Arrows in the league on 17 October. They are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Siphamandla Hleza in goal and a front line featuring M. Zikakayo and S. Ndlabi.
Orlando Pirates FC are likely to retain the core of the attacking unit that started the 3-0 league win over TS Galaxy on 13 October. That side featured S. Chaine in goal, a back four of B. Sigomoshe, L. Seema, N. Sibisi and N. Ndaba, with S. Selepe and T. Mokobodi in midfield. The creative trio of G. Lungu, S. Masilela and O. Appollis supported striker B. Radiopane.
Victory would see Pirates advance to the quarter-finals and maintain their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts. Attention will then swiftly turn to a massive domestic fixture, a home clash against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, who are fifth in the table, on Saturday, 31 October.
