Bucs will later be looking to seal a place in the MTN8 finals at the expense of Bidvest Wits on Saturday before engaging Mamelodi Sundowns in a League match four days later.
While traditionally Pirates are slow starters in the League, coach Vladimir Vermezovic will be well aware of the need to avoid the danger of lagging too far behind in a title chase that has a knack of becoming complicated and unpredictable – especially at the death.
Pirates lost their opening League match by a 2–1 margin to Moroka Swallows before being held to a 2–2 draw by Bloemfontein Celtic in their next game.
AmaZulu are likewise looking to collect their first set of maximum points – having drawn their first match with Ajax Cape Town (0-0) before losing their second to Swallows (2-1).
Much of the pressure, however, will be on Pirates, who could be easily distracted tonight by the hype already surrounding Saturday’s second and decisive MTN8 semi-final tie against Wits.
A 2–0 advantage they carry going into the match against Wits, coupled by the prospect of meeting Kaizer Chiefs in the Final of the MTN8, could make 'VV'’s men lose focus tonight – creating an ideal decoy for AmaZulu to exploit.
However, in a chat with snl24.com/kickoff, Pirates spokesperson Mickey Modisane says the players are professional enough to avoid the trap of getting ahead of themselves.
“We respect all our opponents, AmaZulu are no different,” Modisane says.
“Tonight’s match will be very important and the players are aware of that. If we do manage to make the finals of the MTN8, we will play a lot of matches before competing in the Final.
“All matches are of equal importance and we strive to win in every one of them. There is no chance of the players being distracted or losing focus, they are aware that we are a big club and they can handle the pressure that comes with this,” he explains.