Caf Confederation Cup: Predicting Orlando Pirates' XI to face Simba SC

16:42 BST 16/04/2022

The Buccaneers are in Dar es Salaam to face the Reds of Msimbazi in this bid to end almost two decades without a continental trophy

Orlando Pirates' quest for the Caf Confederation Cup title continues with Sunday's quarter-final, first leg date with Simba SC at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

Last season, Pirates' campaign in this competition ended at this stage in humiliating fashion at the hands of Raja Casablanca, who handed them a 5-1 aggregate defeat.

They would want to atone for that this term by going further and winning their first continental title since they lifted the 1996 Caf Super Cup.

GOAL predicts how Pirates coaches could line up their team on Sunday.

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GOALKEEPER - Richard Ofori

The Ghana international has managed to keep clean sheets in Pirates' last four matches.
He will be trying to do that again against a Simba side keen to score at home and visit the Buccaneers with an advantage for the second leg.
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RIGHT-BACK - Bandile Shandu

The Bafana Bafana man is one of the top scorers in this competition with four goals, two fewer than USGN's Victorien Adebayor who tops the goal chart.
He would be a marked man by Simba as he can also hurt them with game-changing assists.
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LEFT-BACK - Innocent Maela

With Paseka Mako injured after a collision with Ofori in the last match against Baroka FC, Innocent Maela is likely to step in at the left-back position.
Maela has managed seven appearances across all competitions this season but his experience would be counted upon before a likely 60,000-stong crowd at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
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CENTRE-BACK - Olisa Ndah

The Nigeria international has not featured in the last three games due to illness and suspension.
His return is what Pirates needed going into such a crucial fixture.
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CENTRE-BACK - Happy Jele

The Buccaneers captain is enjoying an improved season and his partnership with Ndah at the back has been solid for Pirates.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Thabang Monare

The 32-year-old linkman has become a vital cog in the Pirates engine room showing his experience.
In the past two games, Monare has anchored the Buccaneers' midfield alone and has performed well.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Ben Motshwari

Playing the first leg away at this knockout stage of the Confederation Cup, the Pirates coaches might decide to be a bit defensive.
Motshwari could be brought in to help Monare shield the defence as well as launching attacking forays.
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RIGHT MIDFIELDER - Kabelo Dlamini

Dlamini has three goals and an assist in seven Confederation Cup appearances and would be keen to offer another contribution on Sunday.
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LEFT MIDFIELDER - Deon Hotto

The Namibian has been one of Pirates' standout players this season and can be relied upon to hurt the Tanzanians.
Hotto has featured in all the Soweto giants' across all competitions this term and has not been showing some tired legs.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELDER - Goodman Mosele

The last time Pirates were away in this competition, Mosele was shown a red card against JS Saoura.
He would be careful this time around knowing playing with a numerical disadvantage could upset Pirates' chances of going back home with a positive result.
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CENTRE-FORWARD - Kwame Peprah

The Ghanaian came on as a second substitute against Baroka last Tuesday but the Pirates coaches gave Tshegofatso Mabasa a rare start this season.
But with Mabasa struggling upfront, Peprah could be brought back.