Perennial rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are heading for a Top 8 final clash, but their semifinal opponents have other ideas
SOCCER: Clinton Asary
IT is the ideal semifinal draw for a cup competition, the one soccer administrators and sponsors dream about, thus adding fuel to allegations that the draw for the BP Top 8 was rigged.
Crowd pullers Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been drawn apart, setting the scene for an explosive, money spinning final between the Soweto giants — if they make the final.
Chiefs meet Umtata Bucks at the Rand Stadium on Saturday, and Wits play Orlando Pirates at FNB on Sunday.
But the youthful Wits and hard running men from Transkei are more than capable of upstaging their more fancied opponents, and this has probably been in the minds of Pirates’ coach Mike Makaab, and his Chiefs counterpart Augosto Palacios, as they rounded off their preparations this week.
Rand Stadium is the same ground where Umtata Bucks sensationally ousted the Amakhosi in the quarterfinal of the Coca Cola Cup in 1993.
While Chiefs’ “year of the great resurgence” has got off to a somewhat lukewarm start, they are nevertheless favourites for the clash against Bucks who have reached the semifinal stage of the Top 8 for the first time at their fourth attempt.
In their quarterfinal game against Hellenic two weeks ago, Bucks were in a rampant mood with national squad striker Brendan Augustine scoring twice.
Augustine, who recently returned from trials with French first division side St Ettiene, has been in prolific form so far this season, scoring six goals in three games.
Along with new signing Mzi Nogwaza and young Donovan Brown, Augustine will definitely give Neil Tovey and company a torrid time in defence.
Defending champions Chiefs, who are bidding to win their twelfth Top 8 title, will be hoping that striker Fortune Koloba, who has scored three times in two games, will be fit for the clash.
But as far as Chiefs PRO Louis Tshakoane is concerned, his side will be in next month’s final. “We are very positive, the squad is much better than last year,” he said.
It is still unclear whether dangerous Zimbabwean Wilfred Mugeyi will be playing for Bucks. Mugeyi, the top goalscorer in the country last season, is said to be back in the country after a spell in Israel, but Tshakoane is unfazed, “They will have to bring 11 Mugeyis, as one won’t be enough.
“We want to win this trophy a dozen times,” he said.
In previous years the result of a clash between Wits and Pirates would be a foregone conclusion, either a draw or the “Buccaneers” would mesmerise the “Clever Boys” with their skill.
These days, however, Wits — coached by John Latham and former Chiefs great Absalom “Scara” Thindwa — are playing a more creative, adventerous style with young players like Clint Sepadi, Bradley Carnell (both U23 internationals) and the skilful Junaid Hartley. Pirates will also have to contend with Wits’ dangerous Nigerian striker Benson Otiti.
But it is unlikely that Wits will surprise Pirates, who have been in awesome form so far this season, and are unbeaten in four games.
Wits’ John Latham is not expecting a walkover. “It will be a diffucult game for both sides,” he said.
“We have a good side, but you also need a little bit of luck,” he added.
Be it in defence or up front, Pirates have looked superior in every department and again look set to sweep aside all before them this season.