Predicting Orlando Pirates' XI to face Siwelele FC in Carling Knockout Round of 16 showdown - Will Abdeslam Ouaddou reward Tshegofatso Mabasa & Oswin Appollis after midweek exploits?

The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper does not need anything else to motivate him after keeping seven straight clean sheets. 

The experienced defender is playing like someone who has been around all along, yet he recently started being selected after recovering from a long-term injury.

Hotto provided an assist for Tshegofatso Mabasa in Pirates' last game against TS Galaxy and can be trusted to have a big contribution again on Saturday.  

This is a player who would be feeling important after Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos blocked him from going to the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup to be with the senior national side.   

Ouaddou might not want to tamper with a backline that has been steely in preventing Pirates from conceding in the last seven games and Seema will be selected ahead of Nkosinathi Sibisi.    

Nduli has been ever-present in Pirates midfield since the start of the season and that show the trust the coach has in him. 

After coming on as a substitute in the last game against TS Galaxy, Mbule could be back to start.   

Ouaddou unusually deployed Mofokeng as an attacking midfielder in the last match and he did well off his natural position as a left winger.    

The former AmaZulu man was included in Hugo Broos' squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, something that gives him confidence.    

Of late, Sebelebele hasn't been much influential, but he still retains the trust of Ouaddou.   

After scoring against TS Galaxy having come off the bench, Mabasa might be rewarded by the coach to start Saturday's match.