Orlando Pirates will start the defence of their Nedbank Cup when they visit Richards Bay on Saturday afternoon at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Nedbank Cup
Teams: Richards Bay v Orlando Pirates
Date: 26 January 2025
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium
Pirates, after qualifying for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, are returning to the domestic matches for the first time in three weeks, since their 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City.
The Soweto giants won the Nedbank Cup title for two seasons in a row after edging Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the final last term.
The Buccaneers will be without Nkosinathi Sibisi due to suspension.
Richards Bay, meanwhile, extended their winless run to three matches after a 2-1 defeat to the Citizens just over a week ago.
The Natal Rich Boyz reached the round of 16 last season before being knocked out by SuperSport United 3-1.
The KwaZulu-Natal side will also be without Justice Figuareido and Moses Mthembu owing to suspensions.
The last time the sides met in a cup game The Natal Rich Boyz knocked out Pirates in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals in November 2023 on penalties after a goalless draw in extra-time.
Here's how they line up:
Richards Bay: Otieno, Dube, Ndaba, Mabua, Mcineka, Mthethwa, Gumede, Mhlongo, Mbuthuma, Mohlamme, Ntsundwana
Subs: Magoola, Dube, Ngema, Dlamini, Gcaba, Ndelu, Kutumela, Radebe, Conco
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Sesane, Xoki, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Mbatha, Makhaula, Nkota, Mofokeng, Mabasa
Subs: Dladla, Shandu, Ndlozi, Rasebotja, Kimvuidi, Maela, Dlamini, Makgopa, Ndlondlo
