You can clock it because Orlando Pirates have registered a four-peat against Sekhukhune United this season.

The defending champions booked a place in the semifinal stage of the Carling Knockout Cup with this 1-0 win, their fourth victory over United in all competitions so far.

Pirates beat United in their two MTN8 semifinals, in the first round of the Betway Premiership and now they have eliminated them from this competition.

It could be worse for United in the coming months as they are still to face each other in the second round of the league and there is the possibility of meeting in the Nedbank Cup.

Pirates have now recorded six successive wins in all competitions and coach Abdeslam Ouaddou would be hoping they keep this momentum after the Fifa international break.

Though they progress to the next stage, Ouaddou will not be happy that they squandered numerous scoring opportunities, especially in the second when they controlled the match.

They return to action on November 28 when they visit Tanzanian side Simba SC in Zanzibar for the opening match of the Champions League group stages where they will be looking for a good start.

It is going to be an interesting match because Simba SC boasts familiar faces in coach Steve Barker and players Neo Maema and Rushine de Reuck.

For United and their coach Papi Zothwane, they must use the forthcoming international break to work on some of their weaknesses.

United’s next match is on November 29 and by then Zothwane probably would have worked on some of the issues that have left them sitting in the middle of the table.

Ouaddou tinkered with his starting line-up by leaving regulars Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thalente Mbatha out of the match-day squad and surprisingly fielding Oswin Appollis, who has seen little action this season on the bench.

Appollis entered the field after 65 minutes to replace Mpho Phadime and Pirates increased the tempo of the match even though they could not add to the scoreboard.

Sipho Chaine, Lebone Seema, Deon Hotto, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simphiwe Selepe, Tshepang Moremi, Simphiwe Masilela and Yanela Mbuthuma were the only regular players who started the match.

In the absence of some of the regulars, Sbangani Zulu, Gamphani Lungu and Mpho Phadime benefited and they repaid faith shown in them with reasonable performances.

Zothwane showed intentions for the match by starting with two strikers Chibuike Ohizu and Bethuel Muzeu to put pressure on Seema and Zulu at central defence but the ploy didn’t work.

After the opening 30 minutes spell with not many clear scoring chances, Pirates took the lead through exciting attacker Phadime who capitalised on a defensive mistake by a United defender in the box.

For the opening goal, Pirates midfielder Mokobodi cleverly took a quick and short free-kick to Moremi, who delivered a cross to Phadime to find the back of the net.

In the closing stages, Ouaddou introduced more younger players in Sifiso Luthuli, Matome Mmolai and Neo Rapoo as they continued with their mission to defend their trophy.