Orlando Pirates meet Stellenbosch FC for the second time in successive weeks in an Absa Premiership clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Orlando Pirates meet Stellenbosch FC for the second time in successive weeks in an Absa Premiership clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The sides met in Telkom Knockout first-round action last weekend, with Pirates prevailing 1-0 on the day.
It was only the Buccanneers' second win of a disastrous 2019/2020 campaign and did little to relieve the immense pressure that is still on Rhulani Mokwena.
The biggest positive Mokwena will take from Saturday's victory was the return to form of Thembinkosi Lorch who ended up as the match-winner and the recipient of the man-of-the-match award.
If the Sea Robbers are to turn around their fortunes, they will need their big players like Absa Premiership 2018/2019 Player of the Season Lorch to deliver.
After a poor start to the season, Stellies are unbeaten in their last three league fixtures, including a 2-0 victory over then high-flying Polokwane City in their last match.
And head coach Steve Barker says his players are well up for the challenge and are looking to enact revenge on the Buccanneers for last weekend.
“It’s going to be a massive occasion for the players taking on one of the glamour clubs of South African football in a big stadium no doubt set to be dominated by Pirates supporters, who will be wanting a repeat result," Barker told Goal.com.
"I can tell you my boys are pumped up and ready to give a good account of themselves. Put our loss to them in Soweto down to a learning excursion," he continued.
"We weren’t overawed by the occasion and held our own in thin air until late-on when they came at us hard and forced a goal out of us.
"We now revert to the league, our form over the last few games has been good, so the belief is there that we can overturn the result and bag all three points.
“I would like to see us hold onto the ball for longer periods and be patient with our built-ups. And then to play with more thrust in their final third where they’ve been shaky defensively as seen by the number of goals conceded.
"Our strikers have been finding the target on a regular basis of late and our playmakers must feed them quality ball from which to attack off.
“We all want a crack at Pirates, a team we do not fear but do respect knowing their history.
"It’s a big opportunity and for us to be able to take them on in front of our family, friends and supporters make it that much more special."
Stellenbosch FC v Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates meet Stellenbosch FC for the second time in successive weeks in an Absa Premiership clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The sides met in Telkom Knockout first-round action last weekend, with Pirates prevailing 1-0 on the day.
It was only the Buccanneers' second win of a disastrous 2019/2020 campaign and did little to relieve the immense pressure that is still on Rhulani Mokwena.
The biggest positive Mokwena will take from Saturday's victory was the return to form of Thembinkosi Lorch who ended up as the match-winner and the recipient of the man-of-the-match award.
If the Sea Robbers are to turn around their fortunes, they will need their big players like Absa Premiership 2018/2019 Player of the Season Lorch to deliver.
After a poor start to the season, Stellies are unbeaten in their last three league fixtures, including a 2-0 victory over then high-flying Polokwane City in their last match.
And head coach Steve Barker says his players are well up for the challenge and are looking to enact revenge on the Buccanneers for last weekend.
“It’s going to be a massive occasion for the players taking on one of the glamour clubs of South African football in a big stadium no doubt set to be dominated by Pirates supporters, who will be wanting a repeat result," Barker told Goal.com.
"I can tell you my boys are pumped up and ready to give a good account of themselves. Put our loss to them in Soweto down to a learning excursion," he continued.
"We weren’t overawed by the occasion and held our own in thin air until late-on when they came at us hard and forced a goal out of us.
"We now revert to the league, our form over the last few games has been good, so the belief is there that we can overturn the result and bag all three points.
“I would like to see us hold onto the ball for longer periods and be patient with our built-ups. And then to play with more thrust in their final third where they’ve been shaky defensively as seen by the number of goals conceded.
"Our strikers have been finding the target on a regular basis of late and our playmakers must feed them quality ball from which to attack off.
“We all want a crack at Pirates, a team we do not fear but do respect knowing their history.
"It’s a big opportunity and for us to be able to take them on in front of our family, friends and supporters make it that much more special."
Head to Head Comparison
Stellenbosch FC - Last 5 Matches
Orlando Pirates - Last 5 Matches