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Mashego is out with a groin injury and misses Pirates' encounter with the First Division outfit at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Bafana Bafana capped player picked up the injury in the club's 3-0 league loss to Ajax Cape Town last month, and is still undergoing medical treatment to be fit in time for their next league fixture against Moroka Swallows at Orlando Stadium next week.
The Buccaneers are looking for a double this season in what will be their most prolific campaign since the inception of the Premier Soccer League in 1996, by winning this cup competition and the league title to add to their MTN8 triumph in October.
Pirates also made it through to the Telkom Knockout final in December, where they lost out to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Defender Happy Jele is also unavailable while serving the last of his two-match suspension after being red carded against Mamelodi Sundowns three weeks ago.
However, despite their recent loss to Ajax, Pirates have effectively learned the art of grinding out results under coach Ruud Krol this season, at one stage boasting a 16-match unbeaten streak.
While they are overwhelming favourites to progress to the quarterfinal stages, they are expecting a wholehearted effort from United who are keen to prove a point against the Premiership giants.
This was the view of striker Ndumiso Mabena, who will carry the Buccaneers' scoring hopes in the absence of Mashego upfront.
"The reality is that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain," said Mabena.
"I expect a tough game and anything can happen."
United boast a former Pirates player in their line-up in the form of hard working midfielder Thembile Kanono who spent a year with the club two seasons ago.
The dreadlocked player said he didn't feel that he needed to prove a point against his former employers and only wanted to see his home town side in the next round of the tournament.
"I'm taking this match like any other, to be honest," said Kanono.
"I'm not nervous about it. Yes, Pirates are a big team but we have been working hard on ensuring that we win at home."
Platinum Stars tackle Vasco da Gama at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Saturday's other cup encounter.
Stars veteran midfielder Dillon Sheppard said he believed that his inconsistent teammates could pull off a win to qualify for the last eight.
"I know that they are a good side and have done well this season, but we are also hungry and feel that we have the capabilities of winning this match," Sheppard said.
On Sunday, Mpumalanga Black Aces face Witbank Spurs in a derby encounter at Puma Stadium.
Spurs are coached by Bonga Mofokeng who turned out for Aces in the 1990s, and strongly feels that his young side can prevail on the day and even go as far as winning the whopping R6-million cheque awarded to the cup holders.
"This is a big game, but we want to play in even bigger matches and win this competition," Mofokeng said.
Aces coach Mark Harrison held some belief that his top flight team could overpower Spurs who are a division lower in the league.
"We have a more experienced team and hope that we will be the winners on the day," said Harrison.
"But experience sometimes doesn't count in cup matches."
At Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, minnows Baroka FC take on Premiership strugglers Moroka Swallows.
The Birds will be missing the suspended trio of defenders Keegan Ritchie, James Mayinga and striker Cheick Seissa.
