The
Soweto Giants, who secured their path to the Last 16 of the continental
competition via a 3-1 aggregate victory over Zanaco of Zambia, lock horns with
a TP Mazembe side that defeated Mochudi Chiefs (Botswana) 7-0 on aggregate.
Orlando
Pirates and TP Mazembe have met only once in an official match and twice in the
Vodacom Challenge. The two sides met for the first time in the 2002 edition of
the Champions League. Having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Lubumbashi, Pirates
only needed a goalless at home to go through to the group stage of the
competition.
Pirates
who took the game to Tembisa Stadium kept Mazembe at bay during the first
stanza. However, the wheels came off soon after the restart of the game as
Mazembe scored the opening goal. Then coach Jean-Yves Kerjean made some changes
and took off Gerald Raphahlela for Steve Lekoelea - the move paid off courtesy
of an overlapping Mbulelo “Old John” Mabizela scoring the equaliser.
However
it would be the visitors who would have the final say in the match with goals
from Munandi llunga and Mbomboko Ngoyi. The game ended 3-1 in favour of Mazembe
(4-2 on aggregate).
Vodacom Challenge
29
June 2003: Orlando Pirates 1 – 1 TP Mazembe (Mazembe win 4-2 on penalties)
11
July 2004: Orlando Pirates 2 – 1 TP Mazembe
The
two clubs have done business together with the likes of Makweni Mayala and
Felix Muamba Musasa crossing the floor from Mazembe to Orlando Pirates in 2003.
TP
Mazembe made history in 2010 when they became the first African club to reach
the final of the FIFA World Club Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Inter Milan.
Established
in 1932, TP Mazembe has won the coveted African Champions League four times -
1967, 1968, 2009, and 2010.
Top
players from TP Mazembe: Tresor Mputu (DRC), Rainford Kalaba (Zambia), Stoppila
Sunzu (Zambia) and Muteba Kidiaba (DRC).
Bucs
supporters can purchase their match tickets at Shopright Checkers and
Computicket as per norm, as well as the YMCA next to Orlando Stadium on match
day. Tickets will cost R40 adults and R10 for juveniles.
