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Bucs’ last chance to save their season

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CRUNCH TIME: Mpho Makola and co have one chance. (BackpagePix)
CRUNCH TIME: Mpho Makola and co have one chance. (BackpagePix)

Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates’ dismal season means the Nedbank Cup carries increased significance for coach Kjell Jonevret, who will want to avoid another season without a trophy.

With a top-eight finish not guaranteed, the Nedbank Cup is Pirates’ most realistic chance of salvaging a calamitous campaign. But they will have to pull out all the stops to lift it.

Right man for job

The Buccaneers need to book their place in the final to keep a hugely disappointing season alive when they visit Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium.

Interestingly, the two sides will meet again in a league fixture on Saturday.

The big question is, which one will Pirates prioritise?

The club is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and will not want to have a quiet one, and are expected to throw everything at their hosts.

Jonevret has not yielded the required results, but winning this tournament will go a long way to convincing the hard-to-please Ghost that he is the right man for the job.

So far, he has been found wanting with only two league victories in 12 matches. But he has done well in the cup competition, with only Arrows now standing between him and his maiden cup final.

Missed the draw

And it won’t be easy as Arrows are also eyeing a spot in the final, especially as it will be played in their backyard at Moses Mabhida Stadium next month.

Arrows have also not been playing well, but Clinton Larsen will fancy his chances against a hapless Pirates, who have failed to score in their past four matches.

Young Nduduzo Sibiya has been a revelation for Abafana Bes’thende and the 21-year-old will be a threat to the sloppy Pirates rearguard.

Jonevret will welcome back midfielder Mpho Makola, who missed the draw against Ajax Cape Town on Wednesday.

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Fixtures
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC
Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs
Athlone Stadium
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Stellenbosch FC
Stellenbosch FC
Royal AM
Royal AM
Danie Craven Stadium
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows
Richards Bay
Richards Bay
Mpumalanga Stadium
SuperSport
Results
Tue 12 Mar 24
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns 1
SuperSport United
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Sun 10 Mar 24
Royal AM
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Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC 0
Sun 10 Mar 24
Polokwane City
Polokwane City 0
Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows 1
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1. Mamelodi Sundowns
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3. SuperSport United
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4. Stellenbosch FC
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32