Nedbank Cup: Marumo Gallants Go Into Last 16 Match vs Orlando Pirates as Favourites While Bucs Bumble Along

• Defending Nedbank champions Marumo Gallants host Orlando Pirates in a last 16 encounter tonight
• Gallants are on a hot four-consecutive-match-winning run of form, while the Buccaneers are as vulnerable as ever
• Pirates will be looking to wipe away the disappointment of last Saturday's Soweto Derby loss, which has heaped a lot more pressure on Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi

The last 16 of the Nedbank Cup continues tonight as defending champions Marumo Gallants host Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Gallants are the favourites for tonight's encounter. Yes, you read that right: Gallants are favourites for tonight's encounter, going into it as the form team in South Africa's top flight.

Since the resumption of league football, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are on a four-match winning streak that has seen them brush aside Santos 2-0, Chippa United 3-2, Baroka FC 3-0 and Stellenbosch Football Club 1-0. This hot run of form could be capped off satisfyingly with the scalp of an off-form Buccaneers.

Asante Kotoko SC's players, owner, stadium, players, trophies, world rankings

Football

Gallants assistant coach Raymond Mdaka told the Citizen:

“This is going to be one of the most difficult games that we’ve ever played now. We have not been having a good run per se but a better run. It’s a challenge to face Pirates, given the magnitude of the club and the kind of players they have.”

Orlando Pirates needs to sort their story out fast. They have been on a poor run since coming back to action in February, winning just one match since.

They have won three out of seven matches, and had to endure a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs last Saturday. Co-coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi are men under pressure as the wolves start circling them.

The match starts at 6pm on SuperSport PSL, channel 202.

Nedbank Cup: A Scintillating 6 for Mamelodi Sundowns, Masandawana could not be tied down by Mathaithai FC

DStv Premiership preview: Orlando Pirates Football Club vs Cape Town City

Football

Mamelodi Sundowns brushed aside Mathaithai FC, 6-0, but the score could have been much higher had Sundowns taken their chances.

In a game that Sports Brief monitored, Sundowns started on the front foot from the first minute, as they scored in the second minute of the game.

Aubrey Modiba sprinted down the right flank and got a cross into the box which Surprise Ralani got onto the end off.