2018 Telkom Knockout Final
Baroka FC vs Orlando Pirates
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Saturday, December 8
th
Kick-off at 18:00 (6pm) CAT
As the ABSA Premiership takes a backseat this weekend, Limpopo-based Baroka FC will line-up for their first-ever major cup final on Saturday when they take on Soweto giants Orlando Pirates in the Telkom Knockout showpiece to be played in Port Elizabeth.
Bakgaga head into Saturday’s encounter is everyone’s favourite underdogs after they dumped out the reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-finals before brushing past the defending Telkom Knockout champions Bidvest Wits in the previous round to set up a mouth-watering final against the current log leaders in South Africa.
Richard Mashabane’s men have had the luxury of over two weeks rest, having not played a competitive fixture since their semi-final showdown last month, compared to three played by Pirates in that same period and it remains to be seen whether this lack of game-time will help or hinder their performance on Saturday.
Baroka recent results: (all competitions)
25/11/2018 – Baroka 1-0 Wits (TKO – SF)
10/11/2018 – Arrows 1-2 Baroka
03/11/2018 – Baroka 2-0 Sundowns
Following their derby day semi-final victory against Kaizer Chiefs in Durban, Orlando Pirates have since returned from their CAF Champions League duties in the Seychelles with a comprehensive 8-2 aggregate win over Lightstars which sealed their passage through to the next round with a goalless stalemate against Maritzburg United sandwiched in between their international adventures.
Milutin Sredojevic is seeking his first piece of silverware with the club since the Serbian took charge at the start of the 2017/18 campaign, before ultimately guiding them to second place in his first full season in charge.
Orlando Pirates recent results: (all competitions)
05/12/2018 – Lightstars 1-3 Pirates (CCL)
01/12/2018 – Pirates 0-0 Maritzburg
28/11/2018 – Pirates 5-1 Lightstars (CCL)
This will be Baroka and Pirates fifth-ever encounter since the former’s promotion to the top-flight back in 2016. Baroka are still searching for their first victory against the more fancied Buccaneers after their first three meetings ended in a share of the spoils.
The duo clashed earlier in the campaign when Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch’s goals either side of half-time helped secure a hard-fought 2-1 win in the league in September.
Baroka vs Orlando Pirates head-to-head:
Played: 5
Baroka Wins: 0
Draws: 3
Pirates Wins: 2
Baroka Goals: 5
Pirates Goals: 8
We can certainly expect goals on Saturday with both sides yet to fail to find the back of the net against one another, in five matches.
Baroka vs Orlando Pirates results:
22/09/2018 – Baroka 1-2 Pirates
06/01/2018 – Pirates 3-1 Baroka
22/08/2017 – Baroka 1-1 Pirates
26/04/2017 – Pirates 1-1 Baroka
30/11/2016 – Baroka 1-1 Pirates
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