Kaizer Chiefs are tipped to beat Moroka Swallows during their Coca-Cola Cup semifinal match at Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday night. Kick-off is at 8pm.
It will be the two South African football giants’ second clash during the semifinals of a major competition in less than two months.
Chiefs beat Swallows 1-0 during the semifinal of the SAA Supa 8 in Durban in September where Zambian international Collins Mbesuma netted the only goal.
Swallows captain Goodman Mazibuko strongly believes that Saturday is their turn to win to proceed to the final of this competition which carries a whopping R2-million first prize.
”Chiefs got their chance during the Supa 8 and now this is our turn to qualify for the final. We are sick and tired of losing to Chiefs everyt ime we meet in a league of competition.
”Our preparations for the match have gone well and we are ready to play against Chiefs, we must just contain them in the middle of the park.
”Chiefs have been beating us during the past matches because of our own mistakes, it’s not that they were too good for us. We have rectified our mistakes.
”The winner of this match will be the favourites to win the competition. There is no two ways about it, Swallows will be in for the final.”
Mazibuko said they have no special arrangements for Mbesuma, who has been scoring vital goals for Amakhosi since the start of the 2004/2005 season.
”Mbesuma is a good player and he has doing well for his club but we are not thinking of him alone, we are planning for the entire Chiefs [team].”
Chiefs assistant coach Doctor Khumalo has described the match as a do-or-die for them, saying they were determined to clip the wings of the Beautiful Birds.
Khumalo was adamant that Chiefs, who are the defending champions in this tournament, will qualify for their second consecutive final at the expense of Swallows.
Defender Fabian McCarthy will be available for selection after missing the league match against Mamelodi Sundowns, which ended in a one-all draw last weekend.
However, Chiefs will be without former Lamontville Golden Arrows central defender Siphiwe Mkhonza, who is serving a one-match suspension. Premier Soccer League spokesman Andrew Dipela said the tickets for this match were available at Computicket at R20 (adults) and R10 (children).
Dipela added that security will be tight at the stadium, urging supporters to come early.
In another semifinal match, Supersport United and Wits University will meet at the Olen Park Stadium in Potchefstroom on Sunday to determine the other finalist. – Sapa