The South African Airways Super 8 Cup took off on Women’s Day and began dropping off passengers — including favourites Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates — the same day.
They were followed off the plane by a blunt Golden Arrows and Supersport United. The last four comprise a mix of unusual candidates for the final of a knockout competition … and perennial cup contenders Jomo Cosmos. This weekend will go a long way to deciding where the trophy will land, with its final destination determined on September 20.
The CEO of the Premier Soccer League, Trevor Phillips, said: ‘All four teams are in the semifinal on merit and only a few people will put a bet on the final outcome.â€
On Saturday Moroka Swallows lock horns with Wits University, who beat them a week ago in a premiership match. The Dube Birds, the only surviving team from Soweto, will be at home at the Rand stadium when they take on the Clever Boys. The south Johannesburg venue was not a happy hunting ground for them last season, when they were thrashed 5-0 by Pirates in this competition’s predecessor, the BP Top 8.
On Sunday Jomo Cosmos visit Giyani to play Dynamos with confidence coming from last season’s elimination of the Limpopo side from the Coca-Cola Cup. Home ground advantage is unlikely to be enough for Dynamos this time around either and their strikers, especially the newly acquired Adam Ndlovu, will need to have their scoring boots on.Â
Cosmos probably have the edge because of the greater tactical acumen on their coach. Jomo Sono is a great reader of the game and proved it when Cosmos beat Pirates in the quarterfinals with just nine men and also when they bamboozled Chiefs in last seasons’ Coke Cup final.
The question on everyone lips will be can Cosmos make cup competitions their daily food? If Wits can trim Swallows’ wings, it will set up an intriguing final.