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Orlando Pirates’ quest for Nedbank Cup glory will continue with another tricky assignment when they host ABC Motsepe League Championship outfit Casric Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena in the Round of 16.
Half the teams that contested the competition’s opening round remain following a week of exciting knockout football. The Buccaneers were among the names that made the cut for the Round of 16, progressing past the Last 32 for the sixth consecutive season after a convincing 4-1 win away to ABC Motsepe League outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday.
In a live draw held on Wednesday night they were drawn against the team from Mpumalanga, fresh off a big away win of their own against third tier outfit Army Rockets whom they defeated 3-0 over the weekend.
Nicknamed “The Believers”, Stars return to the Last 16 after failing to make it past the preliminary rounds in the two previous seasons. They will be eager to improve on the finish achieved by their Class of 2023 who advanced beyond the opening round before falling to another Soweto Giant in Kaizer Chiefs.
Currently one of the in-form sides in the Championship, they head to Orlando chasing a famous upset against their hosts’ whose mission will be to emerge on the Nedbank Cup winners’ podium for the third time in four seasons. It will be a first consecutive fixture between the two sides, with one chasing its first major title while the other looks to hoist the coveted trophy for the 11th time.
The Round of 16 fixtures are scheduled to begin on Saturday, 21 February with further fixture details set to be confirmed at a later date.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.