Orlando Pirates will face AmaZulu in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
This is the first of a series of back-to-back matches between the two oldest clubs in the competition, with the rivalry set to resume in a week's time in a league match in Soweto.
The Buccaneers enter this game as last season's favorites. Both teams recorded easy wins in the previous round and advanced to the top eight without conceding a goal.
Pirates humiliated Golden Arrows 7-1 in their last match, so AmaZulu will be cautious ahead of the Nedbank Cup clash.
In the “Ke Yona” tournament, the Buccaneers scored an impressive 10 goals in the two rounds that ended. Jose Ribeiro's side defeated Fourth Division side Crystal Lake by six at the Mbombela Stadium before defeating Championship side Hungry Lions 4-0 in the Round of 16.
All three of the Pirates' wins in their last five games have come at home.
Usuthu will also be able to go into this matchup with some confidence as they won 1-0 away against Cape Town City, ending a six-game winless streak in the league.
They had a more consistent run in the Nedbank Cup, narrowly defeating Royal AM in the round of 32, followed by a 2-0 win over Sekhuhune United to reach the quarter-finals.
Pirates have yet to play a PSL team in the Nedbank Cup, which could give AmaZulu a slight advantage. The Buccaneers will be without Thapelo Shoki and Nkosinati Sibisi due to suspension.
Sibisi is serving a two-match ban after receiving a red card against Morooka Swallows, while Shoki is forced to miss one match after racking up enough yellow cards to warrant a suspension.
Pirates and AmaZulu battle for a place in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals
Their absence presents new opportunities for the likes of Sandile Mthethwa and Thabiso Sesane, who have been gaining minutes on the pitch in recent weeks.
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