Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates battles with Erick Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs
The MTN8 semi-finals have served up a mouthwatering encounter between Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The semi-finals will be played over two legs with the second leg fixtured for 24 September at Orlando Stadium. In the other semi-final, Platinum Stars take on Bidvest Wits. The final will be played on 28 September at a venue still to be confirmed. Chiefs and Pirates met last month in the Carling Black Label Cup, where Chiefs walked away with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a first-half strike from Lehlohonolo Majoro.
Chiefs made light work of the University of Pretoria in the quarter-finals, beating the cup rookies 3-0. The goals were scored by Tefu Mashamaite, Mulomowandau Mathoho and Siphiwe Tshabalala. That win made it three out of three so far this season. Besides the MTN8 win, Amakhosi won their only league match 1-0 against Black Aces and the Black Label Cup encounter against Pirates. They also beat Bloemfontein Celtic 4-1 in the Gauteng Cup during pre-season. That match was the only match that striker Knowledge Musona has scored in so far. However, coach Stuart Baxter says he is not concerned with Musona’s lack of composure in front of goal since his return from Germany. “He’s been dangerous in the games and I said when he came, I believe I need to give the player between seven to ten games before we can start judging properly,” said Baxter. Key player Siphiwe Tshabalala redeemed himself last weekend for the national team and will come into this match full of confidence. The midfielder was horrific against Nigeria last Wednesday in the 2-0 loss but scored against Burkina Faso as Bafana honoured Nelson Mandela with a 2-0 win at Soccer City.
Spurred on by conquering superpowers Zamalek and Al Ahly, Chiefs better beware. Orlando Pirates have asserted their continental credentials and could now require just one win from reaching their first CAF Champions League semi-final since 2005. Pirates brushed aside Egyptian giants Zamalek 4-1 at Orlando Stadium last Saturday, a fitting result that capped an unforgettable day that started with the whole nation celebrating Nelson Mandela Day. Roger De Sa’s charges duly obliged with Lennox Bacela, Tlou Segolela, Sifiso Myeni and in form Daine Klate, ensuring that the Sea Robbers accumulate seven points and consolidate their Group A lead with three matches to go. Such sublime skills followed by four well-taken goals, Bucs have set a perfect tonic ahead of their much-awaited MTN8 first leg clash. Pirates had to rely on a penalty shootout to secure their passage, after their quarter-final clash against SuperSport United ended in a 2-2 stalemate following extra-time. Fans should be ecstatic to learn that defender Siyabonga Sangweni has fully recovered from an injury he sustained last season. Sangweni has featured in two of Pirates’ friendly matches and played the entire game during Pirates’ friendly win over Polokwane City last Tuesday afternoon.
A win, De Sa’s first over Chiefs, is on the horizon and that thought has added fuel to the country’s most talked about soccer match. The Buccaneers are on a high and should get their revenge from the Black Label Cup.
