The remaining three Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final fixtures will take place this weekend, with several exciting clashes lined up.

Orlando Pirates will host Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.

On Sunday, Kaizer Chiefs will face Siwelele FC in Polokwane, while AmaZulu travel to Stellenbosch FC for a clash at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Defending Champions Orlando Pirates will host Sekhukhune United in a quarterfinal match at Orlando Amstel Arena…

The two teams have already played three times this season, twice in the MTN 8 semi-finals and once in the league, with the Buccaneers emerging victorious in all three.

But Papi Zothwane replaced Cedric Kaze as Sekhukhune coach after those defeats, and Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says they must be wary of that.

“It will be one of the most difficult games. I told my boys that we have to be careful of a team that is hurting. We also have to be cautious of the coach in charge now. I’m not sure he previously had full control to implement his ideas, but I remember last year at Richards Bay, we had a lot of problems against him,” Ouaddou says.

Zothwane, who was Kaze’s assistant, says they have prepared very well this time.

“Preparations have gone very well, knowing the type of team we are playing against. Pirates are in good form and hardly lose at the Arena. We are also very much aware of our past results against Pirates. However, a cup game is about who wants it the most, and we know we are playing against the defending champions.”

Kaizer Chiefs have had an indifferent start to the season.

They  failed to win another MTN 8 title and are currently fifth on the Betway Premiership log, 12 points behind pace-setters Mamelodi Sundowns, having played an extra match.

Coach Fernando da Cruz says winning the tournament might go a long way in changing their fortunes, but first they have to overcome Siwelele FC at home.

Siwelele FC interim coach, Godfrey Mosoetsa, says the players will need no motivation when they take on the mighty Amakhosi.

“As a coach you don’t do much to motivate the players because they know they will play against a big club with a big crowd in itself it’s a motivation,”

The winners of the three matches will join Sundowns in the semi-finals, who beat Golden Arrows on Tuesday. -Reporting by Vincent Sitsula