GIYANI – If there is a team everybody wants to avoid in the Top 8 stage of the Absa Cup KO competition, that team is Orlando Pirates. Dynamos were unlucky to draw the Buccaneers during the draw that was held at the Absa Towers in Johannesburg on Monday.

Dynamos’ way to the quarterfinal was not as rocky and thorny as that of Pirates. Ri khomeni ri nga peli beat Durban Stars 4-1 in their last 32 stage last month. They booked a place in the Top 8 stage by beating the First Division side, Dangerous Darkies 2-1, at the Giyani Stadium last Sunday.

Pirates, whose way to the Top Eight went via the Limpopo sides, only started their journey by beating Highlandspark Silver Stars 1-0 at the Johannesburg Stadium. Their second fixture was against Black Leopards, whom they thrashed 4-0 at the Kings Park Sta-dium in Durban last Saturday.

Pirates’ mouthpiece, Mickey Modisane, was quick to say that they were sure of a place in the semi-final stage of the competition. He said that the fact that Dynamos had never won against Pirates was a good reason for them to believe that they will use the pride of Giyani as their stepping stone to the next round of the competition.

His utterances were severely opposed by the Dynamos Marketing and Communications Manager, Sinky Mnisi, who indicated that they were going to spoil the party. Although Dynamos have won the home ground advantage, the league will decide on the venue in due course.

In the other Absa Cup fixtures, Mamelodi Sundowns will host another Pretoria-based side, Supersport United. Santos will meet Bush Bucks in their battle for a place in the semifinal. Wits University will take on Moroka Swal-lows Football Club. The matches will be played between the 13th and 23rd of April.