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Last chance for success

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OUTSTANDING: Abbubaker Mobara has been playing well in the Nedbank Cup. (Chris Ricco, BackpagePix)
OUTSTANDING: Abbubaker Mobara has been playing well in the Nedbank Cup. (Chris Ricco, BackpagePix)

Johannesburg - Only victory in Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final against SuperSport United will salvage some of Orlando Pirates’ pride.

On a night of goodbyes as United coach Stuart Baxter takes charge of his side for the last time, a lot is at stake for both sides.

The two have had a season dogged by inconsistency, with both probably feeling they could have finished better when they look at their standings on the log table.

For the Buccaneers and Kjell Jonevret, however, there is perhaps more pressure to win this game than there is for United.

Considering all of the expectations coming into this season, and how much they have fallen short in the league and other competitions, defeat on Saturday would be pitiful on Pirates’ part, and spell another season without a trophy.

Fitting farewell

Baxter, who will want to go out with a bang, has to quickly put his club cap back on for the last time after being appointed Bafana Bafana coach.

His players will want to give him a fitting farewell by winning the Nedbank Cup trophy.

Pirates have to forget about the season they have had as this match is the one to win.

If ever there was a time when Pirates needed a victory, it is on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

This could define their season. After failing to qualify for the top-eight competition following their finish in 11th position, Pirates have one last chance to restore some of their dignity this season.

This is the time for the players to show their supporters that they deserve another chance as most will be playing for their future.

Grudge game

Fresh on their minds will be last season’s final, which they lost to the same United. Not only that, United humiliated them 6-1 earlier this season and Pirates will want to avenge that.

As for United, they play two black-and-white clubs in the space of four days – they will warm up for the game against Pirates with a clash against TP Mazembe on Tuesday, who wear the same colours as the Buccaneers.

Pirates seem to have saved their best for this tournament as they have been outstanding so far in the competition with four convincing victories.

But that will count for nothing if they do not win the last trophy on offer.

Pirates will look to the likes of Mpho Makola and Abbubaker Mobara, who have risen to the occasion in this tournament.

United have also done well to reach the final with the likes of Thuso Phala and Jeremy Brockie rediscovering their form.

Young Teboho Mokoena has been outstanding in the middle of the park for United.

CAF Confederation Cup berth

Representing South Africa in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup will be an added incentive for the winner.

Pirates have done well whenever they qualified for the continental competition and were runners-up in 2015, the last time they made the cut.

However, their domestic form has meant no CAF tournaments in the past two years.

United have tasted continental football and will want to go back there next season, particularly with Eric Tinkler, who took Pirates to the final in 2015, in charge.

Will it be a grand adios for Baxter, with United spoiling Bucs’ 80-year anniversary celebrations, or one to forget.

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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
SuperSport United 1
Sun 10 Mar 24
Royal AM
Royal AM 2
Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC 0
Sun 10 Mar 24
Polokwane City
Polokwane City 0
Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows 1
Logs
Team
P
W
PTS
Team Logo
1. Mamelodi Sundowns
18
14
46
Team Logo
2. Orlando Pirates
20
9
33
Team Logo
3. SuperSport United
20
9
33
Team Logo
4. Stellenbosch FC
19
9
32