SOCCER: Clinton Asary
WITH both last year’s finalists — eventual winners Witbank Aces and runners-up Kaizer Chiefs — knocked out in the first round, and with five second division sides still in the tournament, this year’s Bob Save Superbowl is still wide open.
Down to the last 16, the action kicks off tonight when Wits host Amazulu at Milpark. Having hammered Bloemfontein Celtic 5-1 in their last game, Wits, with their formidable home record, should advance to the quarterfinals at the expense of an Amazulu side that is having one of its poorest seasons yet.
Tomorrow sees three games take place, with all eyes fixed on Berea Park, where home side Pretoria City lock horns with Moroka Swallows. Having already knocked out the mighty Amakhosi, Pretoria City, South Africa’s newest “Dream Team”, have established themselves as early favourites to win the Superbowl. In City, by the look of things, we could be witnessing the awakening of a sleeping giant.
Swallows on the other hand needed a penalty shootout to win their game against second division runners-up Acornbush United.
In what is also expected to be a tight encounter, Coca Cola Cup champions QwaQwa Stars host African Wanderers at the Charles Mopell Stadium. Wanderers, who have just won promotion to the first division after a three-year absence, will be out to show their hosts that they are ready to take on any of the big sides without fear, and have promised to “throw everything they have at Stars”.
But it is doubtful that they will be able to contain the home side’s front runners, for whom Zairian international Bunene Ngadunane has been in devastating form this season.
In the only other game tomorrow, Vaal Professionals should hold too much firepower for second division side Ferrometals United.
League champions Sundowns travel to the proverbial “lion’s den” on Sunday when they take on Real Rovers in Pietersburg. Rovers, fresh from a 4-0 thrashing of Hellenic, will be relishing the prospect of humbling the inconsistent Sundowns, who had their league aspirations dented by Cape Town Spurs last weekend.
In the only all-second-division clash, Brathoms host Cape side Battswood at Sebokeng and the visitors are tipped to advance to the quarterfinals of the competition.
But the side that looks most likely to win the cup at this stage is Orlando Pirates. The “Buccaneers” host amateur outfit Classic, and only a fool would bet against Pirates at this stage.
D’Alberton Callies set aside their relegation worries for the moment when they host log leaders Cape Town Spurs at Kings Park.
Having beaten defending champions Witbank Aces in the first round, Spurs will be hoping that striker Kenny Niemach will be on target against his old club.