It’s a do or die

Charlie Hlalele – Former AmaZulu midfielder

“It’s going to be an interesting game because both these clubs are big in South African football. If it was a league game, I was going to predict a draw but it’s a cup competition and there has to be a winner. As much as I love AmaZulu, having played for the club, I think Orlando Pirates is going to win this one. Pirates will want to win the trophy for a third successive time. Usuthu have been inconsistent. I know that they will want to do well in this competition to turn their season around, but Pirates won’t allow them to do that. Pirates tend to rise to the occasion in these kinds of games and I don’t think that will stop against AmaZulu. It’s a do or die. They will be going to Durban with one thing on their minds and that will be to progress to the semifinals of the competition. Their record against AmaZulu isn’t bad and that’s why I believe they have the upper hand. Pirates come from moraleboosting massive win against Golden Arrows where they scored seven goals, while AmaZulu have been inconsistent in getting the results. Pirates are so motivated whereas I see AmaZulu as a team like Arrows in how they play and their players. If Pirates go to AmaZulu with the same mentality they had for the Arrows game, they shouldn’t struggle to win. There is a possibility that Pirates will score many goals against AmaZulu as well. In terms of quality, if you compare Pirates and AmaZulu, Pirates have better players than AmaZulu. I’m not taking anything away from AmaZulu and their players, because they also have good players and they are also professional, but Pirates are superior in terms of quality. Pirates have quality and experienced players. Pirates players understand each other very well and they are a moving train. From the back, midfield, up front and on the bench they have quality players.”