Orlando Pirates need to beat Amazulu to finish second place in the PSL and book a CAF Champions League spot.
In a preview of the upcoming Nedbank Cup finlk, Orlando Pirates were held 1-1 by Sekhukhune United side at home on 13 May keeping the Soweto giants undefeated in their last 11 competitive games.
The Buccaneers are placed second on the DStv Premiership standings, but they are level on points with SuperSport United as the two teams target the runners-up spot.
Monnapule Saleng is the man to watch.
The 2022-23 DStv Premiership Footballer of the Season nominee grabbed his sixth assist of the season against Sekhukhune and he has the ability to single-handedly inspire Pirates to a win over AmaZulu.
AmaZulu have been handed a blow as their first-choice left-back Riaan Hanamub, who has three assists this term, will be missing due to a one-match suspension.
Pirates, on the other hand, will also miss the services of one of their key centre backs Tapelo Xoki who is suspended while Thembinkosi Lorch is an injury doubt.
Usuthu succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Lamontville Golden Arrows away on May 13 and therefore, the KwaZulu-Natal giants are winless in their last two matches.
The Durban side is placed 12th on the DStv Premiership standings – two points behind 10th-placed TS Galaxy and four points clear of the relegation zone.
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro
“We need to win. Firstly, it’s going to be a difficult game, away. AmaZulu is an excellent team so we need to think about how we are going to win the game. It’s the last game of the season. So we need to win, we need the three points,” Riveiro said.
“We have a small minimal advantage but if you think about the scenario three months ago and the advantage that our opposition had in that moment, I think we can be proud of the performance of the team in the last part of the season.
“We are glad to be in the last fixture with the opportunity in our hands to be second. We are going to fight for that and that’s all we need to do. We need to win, hopefully with enough advantage to consolidate the second position.”