Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro said he doesn’t need to be reminded of how crucial it is to retain the Nedbank Cup because the league appears to be a forgone conclusion.   

The Pirates’ inconsistency in the league has seen them fall off the cliff, lying third in the table with 37 points after 23 matches, 15 points behind Sundowns, who have two games in hand. 

Although they have won the MTN8 against Sundowns this season, the league will take a huge slip – something that is highly unlikely – as African giants are yet to lose the league this season. 

It appears they will finish the season without a defeat, which will be a South African record. 

As Sundowns appear to be cruising unstoppably, the only trophy Pirates can snare is the Nedbank Cup which they are defending having won it last season.  

They visit AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Ke Yona Cup quarter-finals on Saturday (18:00).  

“It is very important; because it is a South African Cup, it’s the Nedbank Cup, it is an important trophy,” said Riveiro Sandton on Wednesday.  

“Every team participating wants to be in the final game. It is important for everyone involved in the club – players, personnel, coaching staff, we are all focusing on this tournament as well and we will try again.”  

Impressively, the Soweto giants head to Durban’s World Cup venue without having suffered a defeat against AmaZulu there since the venue was reopened domestically post the 2010 FIFA World Cup for domestic games.  

The last time AmaZulu defeated Pirates in Durban was in 2009 when Bradley Ritson and Ayanda Dlamini scored the goals at Chatsworth Stadium.