MTN8 result: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Highlands Park – As it happened!

Orlando Pirates fans will be hoping the players put aside what would have been a disruptive last few hours, and put on a show against Highlands Park in Saturday night’s MTN8 quarterfinal.

The Buccaneers have a new man at the helm for the clash after the sudden resignation of coach Milutin Sredojević on the eve of the all-too-crucial encounter.

Assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena has been handed the reins, and will work alongside ex-Maritzburg United mentor Fadlu Davids and Frank Plaine, who was serving as the club’s Head of Performance.

The Buccaneers are emerging from a tough week, where they suffered back to back defeats – going down to Zambian outfit Green Eagles in the Caf Champions League preliminary round before being blown away by Supersport United in league action.

The main Achilles heel for the Soweto giants has been their defence, and there was a bit of a shuffle in midweek in Mpumalanga, with Sredojević adding Justice Chabalala to the mix, in a three-man core that consisted of captain Happy Jele and hardman Alfred Ndengane, with Bafana fullback Innocent Maela operating as a wingback, opposite academy graduate Thabiso Monyane.

The drubbing suffered at Mbombela Stadium might prompt some changes and, with PSL Player of the Season Thembinkosi Lorch nearing full fitness, there is bound to be a change in the starting XI.

For Highlands Park, a pursuit for a first win in the new season continues, following a home defeat to Kaizer Chiefs and a draw away to Maritzburg United last time out.

The Lions of the North make their first appearance in the MTN8 after bagging a top-eight finish in only their second season in the top flight – their first since gaining promotion from the championship.

Coach Owen da Gama is a man who will have a bit of an inside track on his opponents, having coached there in the past, and is bound to be cooking up an upset that could see the Soweto giants suffer a third successive defeat.

Orlando Pirates vs Highlands Park predicted starting XIs

Pirates: Sandilands, Monyane, Jele, Chabalala, Maela, Motshwari, Makaringe, Pule, Lorch, Mulenga, Shonga.

Highlands: Heugh, Mokoena, Ramoraka, Fransman, Mzava, Makhaula, Mahlangu, Mbatha, Shalulile,Jooste, Ramagalela.

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