Orlando Pirates vs Diables Noirs prediction, preview, team news and more

The CAF Confederation Cup returns to the fold with another set of important games this week as Orlando Pirates take on Diables Noirs on Sunday. Both teams have been impressive over the past year and will want to win this game.

Diables Noirs are in second place in their league table at the moment and have been excellent this season. The Congolese giants have kept clean sheets in three consecutive games this month and will want to be at their best this weekend.

Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, are in sixth place in the South African Premier Division and have been fairly inconsistent this year. The Buccaneers were held to a draw by Maritzburg United in their previous league game and will want to bounce back in this fixture.

Orlando Pirates vs Diables Noirs Head-to-Head

Orlando Pirates and Diables Noirs have played only one official fixture in their history and managed a goalless draw in the only game that has been played between the two teams.

The previous meeting between the two sides took place last week and ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Both teams squandered chances in the first leg and will need to be more clinical this weekend.

Orlando Pirates form guide: D-D-D-L-W

Diables Noirs form guide: D-W-D-D-W

Orlando Pirates vs Diables Noirs Team News

Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates will also have to account for a few injuries going into this game with Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule, and Zakhele Lepasa ruled out at the moment. Richard Ofori and Innocent Maela are carrying knocks and might not feature in this game.

Injured: Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule, Zakhele Lepasa

Doubtful: Richard Ofori, Innocent Maela

Suspended: None

Diables Noirs

Diables Noirs have a fully-fit squad at the moment and will be able to make the most of their formidable squad. The Congolese side is unlikely to make drastic changes to its team for this game.

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Orlando Pirates vs Diables Noirs Predicted XI

Orlando Pirates Predicted XI (4-3-3): Wayne Sandilands; Bandile Shandu, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Happy Jele, Bongani Sam; Abel Mabaso, Goodman Mosele, Kabelo Dlamini; Terrence Dzvukamanja, Deon Kavendji, Gabadinho Mhango

Diables Noirs Predicted XI (4-3-3): Giscard Mavoungou; Hernest Malonga, Francis Beny Nzaba, Abedi Masudi, Chikito Matoka; Prince Obongo, Beh Ahmed Ouattara, Carof Bakoua; Carl Ngana, Jeremie Mumbere, Kirenge Muhindo

Orlando Pirates vs Diables Noirs Prediction

Orlando Pirates have been impressive this season but will need to address their inconsistent form in the coming weeks. The Buccaneers have good players at their disposal and have a point to prove this weekend.

Diables Noirs were excellent in the first leg and will want to take it up a notch in this fixture. Orlando Pirates are the better team on paper, however, and should be able to win this game.

Prediction: Orlando Pirates 2-1 Diables Noirs

About the author

Aditya is a European and international football writer at Sportskeeda, covering previews, news, post-match articles and live blogs for 5 years. During his time here, he has had the privilege of covering a press meeting during the collaboration between his favorite club Bengaluru FC and Sevilla, where he got a chance to interact with Sevilla president Jose Castro and explore the grassroots development in his city.

Aditya started following the sport after being dazzled by Ronaldinho’s silky feet at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He is a Barcelona fan and unsurprisingly, his favorite manager and players are Pep Guardiola and Andres Iniesta respectively. He admires the latter for his superhuman talent and his off-pitch demeanor, and his winning goal in Spain’s 2010 World Cup final win over the Netherlands left a lasting impact on Aditya.

The match-preview specialist believes that his ongoing five-year stint at Sportskeeda has given him the ability to identify the distinct line between emotional and fact-based articles, which separates him from other journalists. For him, fact-checking is the most integral part of his writing process and he only relies on authentic platforms for data.

Aditya is a semi-professional pianist and likes to participate in concerts and recitals when not immersed in football.

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Edited by Aditya Hosangadi

Orlando Pirates vs Diables Noirs prediction, preview, team news and more | CAF Confederation Cup 2021-22