SuperSport United will welcome Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Monday night, with the Soweto giants needing a massive score-line to qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup group stages.

Kick-off is at 6:00pm CAT.

Bucs' 2-2 draw against Royal AM in the league on Friday night dented their hopes of representing South Africa in the CAF Champions League. The result also meant that they will need a miracle in their final DStv Prem match to qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup.

Royal AM currently occupy third spot, three points ahead of Pirates in sixth. With the Sea Robbers having a +8 goal difference, compared to that of +12 by Royal AM, Bucs will need to beat SuperSport United by five clear goals on Monday evening.

Following their stalemate with Royal AM. Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids mentioned that they know what to do going into the last game of the season and that he feels for his players after they had given their all.

“We know what we’ve got to do, we’ve got to beat SuperSport 5-0 to be able to get the third place,”

“I feel for the players, after starting exactly how we wanted to, high intensity. I really feel for them, they gave their all this evening and were not to be able to kill off the game with the third goal and then of course conceding the two late on."

SuperSport United will have the top eight in sight and currently trail Golden Arrows by three points in 9th position. Arrows -5 goal difference, compared to SSU’s +2 means that a victory will enter the lucrative top eight spot.

However, the club’s form card has not made for good reading, particularly in their last five league outings. SSU picked up just one win during this time, which came against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium. Since then, Matsatsantsa recorded three draws and a loss along the way.

Speaking ahead of the tie, SuperSport United coach Andre Arendse spoke of the break his players had in the last couple of weeks and also the challenges ahead of the Pirates clash.

“It’s been 16 days or so since our last game in the PSL,” Arendse mentioned.

"The challenge between then and now has primarily been finding that balance between checking the fitness levels of our players and integrating ball orientated work and also just the tactical side of our preparations.

“The players have responded ever so well in terms of the focus, in terms of the commitment to this last particular game. To the extent that every single player has certainly put his hand up for a place in the starting XI for the last game, so that’s been fantastic to see from a coaching perspective.”

“It’s not easy to ask any player to wait so long to play their next game and combine that with the fact that the season is already done.”

“It’s a must win game for us, as it currently stands we are just outside the top eight but the fact that the game is in our own hands certainly eases the pressure.

“At the same time, it increases the focus level that we need against a team like Orlando pirates.”

SuperSport United: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Thamsanqa Gabuza: 

With Pirates looking to correct their defensive mishaps, especially after letting a 2-0 lead slip against Royal AM, Gabuza could be a tricky customer to deal with. The striker is the club’s top scorer in the league (7).

Gamphani Lungu: 

With Gabuza leading the line, the attacker has the second most goals for the club in the 21/22 campaign (6). The Tshwane club will need all the attacking power to break down the Bucs defensive set-up, which can be astute on their day.

Orlando Pirates: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Thembinkosi Lorch: 

The skilful attacker has been one of the club’s best players during the closing stages of the season and was a handful for the Royal AM defence, particularly on the right-flank. As a player on form, SSU will no doubt look to neutralise Lorch’s influence.

Olisa Ndah: 

While Lorch has been stellar in the one end of the pitch, Ndah’s solid defensive displays in the Bucs penalty area has been noteworthy. The centre-back put in a man of the match performance in the club’s most recent tie.

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