Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates
The first major piece of silverware in South African football will be up for grabs this weekend for the Soweto giants when they lock horns in the Carling Black Label Cup. This cup gives the fans the opportunity to “Be The Coach” where they get to choose the players to start in the team by voting. Pirates beat Chiefs in the first Black Label Cup last season after the teams couldn’t be separated in normal time drawing 0-0 and Pirates were eventual winners after winning the penalty shoot-out 4-3.
Kaizer Chiefs have made some changes since finishing in a disappointing fifth position in the league and ending the season without any major silverware. They started by hiring former Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter after they parted ways with Serbian Vladimir Vermezovic towards the end of last season and Doctor Khumalo and Ace Khuse took over as caretaker coaches. They also improved their backline with the purchases of highly rated Bafana Bafana defenders Siboniso Gaxa (from Lierse), Eric Mathoho (Celtic) and Morgan Gould (SuperSport). Siyabonga Nkosi (Arrows), Kgotso Moleko (Celtic) and Kingston Nkhatha (Leopards) have also joined the team. Chiefs beat Bidvest Wits 8-7 on penalties to win the inaugural Gauteng Cup in Atteridgeville last Saturday after the scores were tied 0-0 in regulation time. Chiefs defeated Moroka Swallows 3-0 to play the final against Wits, who beat SuperSport 1-0 in their semi-final. Lehlohonolo Majoro scored one and created the other two for Bernard Parker and George Lebese to give the Glamour Boys a comfortable win against their Soweto neighbours. Siphiwe Tshabalala and new signing Kgotso Moleko have been withdrawn from the squad due to injury while Jimmy Tau looks highly doubtful.
Chiefs line-up as the voting stands: Itumeleng Khune, Jimmy Tau, Morgan Gould, Siboniso Gaxa, Zhiamu Jambo – George Lebese, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Josta Dladla, Abia Nale – Lehlolonolo Majoro, Bernard Parker.
League champions Orlando Pirates made a few trips to the transfer market to plug gaps in the squad. The most talked-about acquisition in their impressive squad is the return of Nigerian Onyekachi Okonkwo. Okonkwo left Pirates in 2007 after four years at the club to join Swiss outfit FC Zurich and last played in Qatar. Pirates have also roped in Patrick Phungwayo (Wits), Ayanda Gcaba (Free State Stars), Khethowakhe Masuku (Leopards), Aubrey Ngoma (Uni. Of Pretoria) and Manti Moholo (Free State Stars). Pirates had another exceptional season as they pipped Swallows by two points to retain their PSL title. They also won three other cups last season in the Telkom Knockout Cup, MTN8 and the Carling Black Label Cup. Benni McCarthy has been working hard during the pre-season and is looking well conditioned. Pirates’ success continued last Sunday when they were crowned champions of the Mbombela Cup, beating Mamelodi Sundowns 6-5 on penalties. Andile Jali opened the scoring for Pirates in the 7th minute, before Hlompho Kekana equalised for Sundowns in the 27th. The match ended at 1-1 in regulation time. Pirates keeper Senzo Meyiwa was the hero of the day for the treble champions, as he saved Esrom Nyandoro’s decisive spot-kick to hand Augusto Palacios’s men the trophy. They thrashed Swaziland side Mbabane Swallows 4-1 in the semi-final. Daine Klate got a brace, and Benni McCarthy and Mpho Makola scored a goal each. Happy Jele will make his return to the starting XI for the match, and fans will get their first look at Sifiso Myeni on the pitch since joining with an injury last season.
Pirates line-up as the voting stands: Moeneeb Josephs – Siyabonga Sangweni, Lucky Lekgwathi, Happy Jele, Rooi Mahamutsa – Mark Mayambela, Oupa Manyisa, Sifiso Myeni, Andile Jali – Benni McCarthy, Tokelo Rantie.
It’s always difficult to separate the Soweto giants but Chiefs are tipped to triumph this time and start their season off with a bang.
