Big Match Preview: Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns

The Buccaneers fell to a shock 1-0 defeat to Botswana Premier League champions Jwaneng Galaxy in their Second preliminary round tie on Sunday, while Sundowns had no problem seeing off Burundi champions Bumamuru 4-0.

Jose Riveiro's side have endured a mixed start to their current campaign, having won just two of their opening DStv Premiership games while Sundowns, under the guidance of Rulani Mokwena have cruised to six wins from six league games.

Both teams are also in the semi-finals of the MTN8 and will meet in the final if Bucs overcome Stellenbosch and Downs get past Kaizer Chiefs.

Ahead of the midweek game, Riveiro said in the Citizen: "It's another important game for us just after three days. But it's an opportunity for us to fix our mistakes.

"We have to forget about what happened in the last game and focus on what we have to do right in the next game. It's a game against Sundowns and we have to make sure that we make our fans happy.

"The players are disappointed with the last result. They now want to make things right and the game against Sundowns gives us that opportunity to do that."

Mokwena added: "It is too early in the season and there are many games to play and they are going to be even more difficult. We go to Orlando Stadium knowing that it is going to be a difficult game but we have played more difficult games.

"We have gone to Morocco, Algeria, Cairo, to the same Orlando and played difficult games and so we trust ourselves to be able to put on a good performance. We know we need to play well to give ourselves a chance to beat Pirates. It is one of the 30 games that we have to play this season and it on its own has no specialness to it."

In team news, Pirates will be without suspended midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, while Sundowns winger Lebohang Maboe is also unavailable following his recent red card.

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