Daylon Claasen of Maritzburg United celebrates goal with teammates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 15 February 2020 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates v Maritzburg United Nedbank Cup preview | Stats & facts
A little over a month after their last visit to Pietermaritzburg, Orlando Pirates are back in town for another meeting with Maritzburg United.
Daylon Claasen of Maritzburg United celebrates goal with teammates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 15 February 2020 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
A little over a month after their last visit to Pietermaritzburg, Orlando Pirates are back in town for another meeting with Maritzburg United, this time for a Nedbank Cup Round of 16 clash.
READ | PATRICE MOTSEPE DENIES WANTING TO MOVE CAF HQ FROM CAIRO TO JOHANNESBURG
The match kicks off at 18:00 on Saturday, 27 February and it’s the Buccaneers’ third straight away fixture against Maritzburg United, with the last two league encounters between these two sides both taking place at Harry Gwala Stadium.
Hot streak
It presents the Soweto giants with the opportunity to extend their winning streak over the “Team of Choice”, having prevailed on their two previous meetings.
When the Buccaneers registered victory at Harry Gwala Stadium in January this year, it was their third away triumph in as many visits to the fabled venue, where they have posted a total of eight wins in their last 15 attempts.
PICTURES | KAIZER CHIEFS TOUCH DOWN IN BURKINA FASO
The home side, on the other hand, has managed to beat Orlando Pirates just five times in this period.
Sound defence
Key to the Buccaneers unbeaten run against the men in blue in recent times has been a solid structure at the back, which has hardly let in any goals in this fixture.
Since Maritzburg United last defeated Orlando Pirates, they have only managed a single goal in eight matches.
The lone strike was netted by Siyanda Xulu in a 2-1 defeat at Orlando Stadium in February 2018.
READ | KAIZER CHIEFS CATCH A FIXTURE BREAK AFTER CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONGESTION
Knockout football
Cup meetings between these two sides have been very few and far in between, with none taking place in over five years.
The last time the Buccaneers played the Team of Choice in a knockout competition was in October 2015 in the last eight of the Telkom Knockout.
On that occasion, the Soweto giants emerged victorious, with goals from Kermit Erasmus and Mpho Makola securing a spot in the semis.
Their last Nedbank Cup encounter was back in 2014, when Orlando Pirates went on to lift the coveted trophy after edging past Maritzburg United in the semis.
IN CLOSING | RIP: FATHER OF LIVERPOOL GOALKEEPER DROWNS IN BRAZIL
