Orlando Pirates expects a tough game from Aces

Mpumalanga Black Aces will be looking to make history when they face Orlando Pirates next Wednesday at the Mbombela Stadium for the Telkom Knockout Cup.

While many soccer pundits have already written Amazayoni off, arguing that the giant Soweto side, Pirates is currently playing top-of-the-drawer football, Aces may just rise to the occasion and spring an unpredicted surprise.

With top quality players to choose from, surely Aces coach, Clive Barker would want to prove a point that his charges are not just minors as they are often referred to.

Given both teams recent on-form run, this will not be an easy battle for either as they both boast quality and experienced players such as Mabhuti Khanyeza, Abia Nale, and former Bucs player, Mike Mayambela who is likely to earn his first cap for Aces.

Even though Pirates will be looking to rest a number of their key players ahead of their first semifinal against the Tunisian giants, Esperianz, they are sure coming to Mbombela for a kill, with top players such as Dane Klaite, Tloe Sekgolela, Kermit Erasmus and Lennox Bacela, to mention but a few.

Aces’ spokesman Gordon Masondo promised a bitter fight to the end. “We are going to throw everything we have because we also want what everyone wants. We are not going to sit back and wait for Pirates to come at us, but we are going to come at them very hard,” he said.

Pirates’ captain Lucky Lekgwathi said that he expects a tough game from Aces.

“The match against Aces will be a tough one. They have been playing well since gaining promotion and they also have a number of players who have experience in the PSL.

“The fact that they are a newly promoted side doesn’t mean that we can underestimate them. We will give them the respect they deserve when we eventually meet,” said Lekgwathi.

Pirates were last year booted from this competition in the quarter-finals by the eventual champions, Bloemfontein Celtic.