This season's Nedbank Cup presents the fans with the possibility of having Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates facing each other in the final, but for that to happen, both sides will have to get over their hurdles.

Chippa United and Stellenbosch stand in the way of the two Premier Soccer League giants, and while Downs could face a tougher opponent in Stellies, Pirates might have it a bit easier than Sundowns.

The Buccaneers have a much more talented team that has been together for quite some time, playing enterprising football. But, as the age-old saying goes - there is no 'but' or 'therefore' in football.

Here, GOAL zooms into the upcoming Nedbank Cup semi-final between the optimistic Chilli Boys and the Buccaneers.

Pirates sharp attack

The Buccaneers are on a scoring spree this season, having netted 14 goals in three games in this competition alone.

In the last 10 games across all competitions, Pirates netted 28 goals, and all thanks to the inform Tshegofatso Mabasa, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Kabelo Dlamini, who are currently leading the front line.

Any team that goes up against Pirates knows that they are playing a side that has a huge appetite for goals, and Chippa mentors might have to reinforce their defence against the pacey Soweto giants.

Chippa's defence will have to keep a keen eye on Mabasa in particular, as the red-hot striker is sitting on 16 goals in all competitions this season and his sights are set on hitting the 20-point mark.

Cup double on the cards

In the competition's current guise of the Nedbank Cup, Pirates have played five finals and come out on top three times, losing in back-to-back seasons against SuperSport United between 2015 and 2017.

But this time around, they head into the semi-finals as the defending champions after stunning Sekhukhune United at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium almost a year ago.

Pirates have shown a lot of hunger for trophies, especially under their current coach. The Buccaneers are not going to win the PSL title, which is headed straight to Chloorkop.

However, this competition gives Pirates a license to cap off the season with another trophy after bagging the MTN8 cup earlier this season.

Riveiro's cup pedigree

When he landed in Mzansi, Riveiro was called all sorts of names, but the one that stuck was the nickname of 'Plumber'.

However, he was quick to dispel that as he won the hearts of the Happy People by delivering two trophies in his maiden season.

The Spaniard is now in his second season and has already led Pirates to yet another trophy and is in line to deliver a cup double in as many campaigns.

There is no better way to silence your critics than by doing the talking on the field. Pirates, after all, are the defending champions and would not want to bow out in the semi-finals against a Chippa side that has no cup pedigree.

Head to head

Games played - 22

Pirates wins - 15

Chippa wins - 4

Draws - 3

Pirates goal scored - 34

Chippa goals scored - 15

Score to settle

Eva Nga was once a Buccaneer, but his stay at the club is one to forget. The Cameroonian forward played 15 times for Pirates and only delivered a single goal.

After being a Chippa since the start of the season, Nga has banged in four goals - two in three games in the Nedbank Cup. The striker was always ranked low in the pecking order and now, he needs no extra motivation as he goes up against his former employers.

The bulldozer of an attacker seems to be enjoying life under Kwanele Kopo and September, and his appetite to prove himself against the Buccaneers might inspire the rest of the team to go out guns blazing and not deploy a low defensive block as a number of teams usually do when playing Pirates.

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