Orlando Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo hopes the Buccaneers can turn their fortunes around when they take on Stellenbosch FC in the Telkom Knockout Cup.

The Soweto giants were drawn against the Absa Premiership newcomers for their last-16 encounter at the Orlando Stadium next Saturday.

The Buccaneers will be hoping to bounce back against the Mother City side and overturn their two-game winless run after suffering a 4-3 defeat by Bidvest Wits, before playing out to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Cape Town City in the last two games.

However, Mlambo is wary of the threat Stellenbosch possesses but confident they can overcome Stellies and qualify for the next round.

‘I was a bit amused because we already have to play Stellenbosch when we reopen the premier league, so I was quite shocked to say, “Eish, we have to meet up with them twice in two weeks”, so it’s not going to be easy to play the same opponent,’ Mlambo told the media.

‘We come into this cup and we have nothing to lose. We are wounded from last season’s results, so we definitely have to give everything we have so that we turn the situation around.’