Predicting Orlando Pirates' XI against Saint-Eloi Lupopo in CAF Champions League clash - Abdeslam Ouaddou to unleash three Bafana Bafana strikers as Bucs push for four-goal margin win?

The Sea Robbers face a challenge that will define their continental destiny, and they rise to the occasion to ensure their African dream remains achievable. Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou rested a number of his key players in the midweek game, probably in anticipation of what awaits them at Orlando Stadium.

Within the next 24 hours, Orlando Pirates will attempt to save their CAF Champions League dream when they host Saint Lupopo for a second-round preliminary-round encounter on Saturday.

The Sea Robbers were stunned in the first leg when they lost 3-0 in Lubumbashi, and that means they face an uphill task. The Buccaneers have only two options: beat their rivals decisively and progress, or get eliminated, and their dream for continental glory ends.

Bucs go into the game after returning to winning ways; the Soweto giants defeated Polokwane City 1-0 in a midweek Premier Soccer League encounter.

Will Pirates summon their winning spirit and progress to the group stage? Only time will tell.

Here, GOAL takes a look at how Ouaddou is likely to line up his players for the do-or-die encounter.

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GOLKEEPER: Sipho Chaine
The 2024/25 PSL Goalkeeper of the Season is one of the players Bucs will heavily depend on as they chase what will be a miraculous victory.

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RIGHT-BACK: Thabiso Lebitso
He is among the players who were not fielded for the Polokwane game but is highly set to start on Saturday.
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LEFT-BACK: Deon Hotto
Another key player that rested for the midweek clash probably because Ouaddou perhaps had the game against Lupopo in mind.

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CENTRE-BACK: Mbekezeli Mbokazi
The Bafana Bafana defender has been rock solid at the back and needs to be even better when they face the DR Congo side.
It is another game that the Bucs' assistant captain must rise to the occasion and prove his worth once more.
CENTRE-BACK: Lebone Seema
He returned to the starting line-up against Rise and Shine after he was dropped for the first-leg encounter.
This is another position that will attract attention, as fans will be keen to see whether Ouaddou will start Nkosinathi Sibisi again.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Sihle Nduli
A very constant figure in Ouaddou's line-ups, the case is expected to remain the same on Saturday.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Thalente Mbatha
Nduli was partnered in midfield by Masindi Nemtajela against Polokwane City. However, given the high stakes the Lupopo game carries, the Moroccan tactician is set to revert to a proven Nduli-Mbatha partnership.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELDER: Sipho Mbule
Patrick Maswanganyi was preferred to lead the attacking midfield roles, but against Lupopo, Mbule should be the man to be deployed.
Mbule has been in good form, and his skills and high creativity abilities are some of the traits that always give him an advantage.
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LEFT ATTACKER: Tshepang Moremi
He scored the goal on Wednesday that ensured Pirates avoided a draw, and he is expected to be on top on Saturday as they chase the much-needed decisive win.
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RIGHT ATTACKER: Oswin Appollis
He did not face Lupopo in the first leg, and to avoid more criticism, Oauddou is expected to avoid more experimental line-ups and field his regular players.
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CENTRE-FORWARD: Evidence Makgopa
It looks like the technical bench's trust in Makgopa is growing. Going by recent developments, it is pretty easy to predict that Makgopa is going to be preferred to Tshegofatso Mabasa.