AMAZULU VS PIRATES: MATCH FACTS
This will be the first ever meeting between AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates in the Telkom Knockout in the Premier Soccer League era, and just their fourth cup meeting since 1985!
The last cup meeting in any competition between the sides was in 1994 when Pirates beat AmaZulu 2-1 in the Top Eight. They also claimed a 2-1 over Usuthu in the FA Cup (1992), while AmaZulu beat Pirates 1-0 in the FA Cup in 1990.
AmaZulu are unbeaten in five home games this season, with the last side to claim victory against them in KwaZulu-Natal being Pirates with a 2-1 league success in April!
AmaZulu and Pirates have met in 59 games in all competitions since the formation of the National Soccer League in 1985. Pirates have won 26 of those, to go with 11 victories for AmaZulu, while 22 games have been drawn. Pirates have outscored their opponents 83-51.
In games played at AmaZulu, Pirates lead the head-to-head 10-7, with 14 draws. Pirates have outscored their opponents 35-30.
The last six games between the sides have seen both teams scored at least one goal. The last side to fail to find the back of the net in fixtures between these two was Pirates in a 1-0 home defeat in 2013. Despite this, there have only been 14 goals scored in those six games, showing how tight they are.
Only once in the last 15 games between these two has a team won by more than a single goal margin. That was a 2-0 home success for Pirates in 2010.
No AmaZulu player has scored more than two goals in the Telkom Knockout, with five hitting that mark – Sidwell Maboe (father of Mamelodi Sundowns star Lebohang Maboe), Alban Newman, Naughty Mokoena, Simon Magagula and Dumisani Ngwenya.
Pirates have played a total of 71 matches in the Telkom Knockout in the PSL era, winning 37 of those to go with 17 draws and 17 defeats. That is one short of the record number of matches of any side, behind only Soweto rivals Chiefs. They have scored 113 goals in that time and conceded 74, while they have faced 24 different opponents. No side has scored more goals than them in the PSL era.
Orlando Pirates are coached by Micho Sredojevic, who has been in charge of the side since August 2017. It is his second spell with the club having also led the team between July 2006 and January 2007.
