SOCCER: Gerald Combrink
THE Coca Cola Cup has since its inception in 1992 become the property of the minnows of South African soccer. It is a competition that, like the sponsor’s logo, seems to “add life” to the lesser knowns of the local game.
In fact, the only giant to do anything significant in the tournament was Kaizer Chiefs in 1992, but they were beaten in the final by Amazulu. In 1993 the cup was won by Umtata Bucks and last year Qwa Qwa Stars beat Hellenic 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.
But while Orlando Pirates PRO Skhumbuzo Mthembu admits that he has “sleepless nights” about this year’s competition, his counterparts at Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, Alex Shakoane and Louis Tshakoane, have vowed that the domination of the smaller clubs will end this year. “No small team will survive this season,” they said in unison this week.
Stars start the defence of their trophy against the indifferent Vaal Proffesionals at home on Sunday at the ground where they won it last season, Charles Mopeli.
With striker Bunene Nagaduane in prolific goalscoring form they are favourites to advance to the quarterfinals at the the expense of Vaal Pros, who have yet to overcome the loss of Fortune Koloba to Kaizer Chiefs.
But the action kicks off on Friday night when Wits host Moroka Swallows at Milpark. Having drawn their last three games, the “Birds” are unlikely to provide much opposition for John Lathan’s “Clever Boys”.
On Saturday Hellenic host Total Aces at Athlone and with strikers Gerald Stober and Wedson Nyirenda proving to be a deadly combination Hellenic, despite losing to Bloemfontein Celtic in a league game last weekend, should have little difficulty pushing aside Aces’ challenge.
Budgie Byrne’s “Greek Gods” had good and bad news in the run up to Saturday’s game. New signing, former Everton defender Pat van den Hauwe, sustained a groin injury in training, but striker Grant Young is back after a knee operation, and scored in a friendly game early this week.
In Saturday’s other game, at Rand Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs host their bogey team of last season Real Rovers, who beat them in both league games. Last week the “Terrors of the North” again shocked Chiefs when they held the log leaders to a 1-1 draw despite Chiefs PRO Louis Tshakoane’s boast that his club would beat Rovers twice in one day.
“We’ll beat them at 3pm and then again at 8pm,” he boasted.
Three games take place on Sunday with the most interesting being the clash between Cosmos and Orlando Pirates. Newly promoted Cosmos don’t seem to have enough firepower to defeat the “Sea Robbers” who are on a roll at the moment.
At Athlone, the country’s top goalscorer Mike Rapatsa, who has scored 11 goals this season, will be hoping to lead Rabali Blackpool to victory over Cape Town Spurs. Although Rapatsa’s achievement is remarkable as his club is last on the log, it is unlikely that Blackpool will trouble Spurs’ unbeaten record at Athlone stadium.
Last weekend Spurs crushed Amazulu 5-1 with Eric Ramasike, who has been struggling to adapt to the Cape, scoring twice. The home side should advance to the next round even though coach Mitch D’Avray is away in Zambia with the national U23 squad.
Umtata Bucks seem to have found their feet after a bit of a slide and will be hoping to overcome Manning Rangers, the club which started their slump by beating them in a league game at the Independence stadium more than two months ago.
Ambitious Mamelodi Sundowns face a close encounter of a different kind when they host Amazulu at the Odi stadium.
The “Usuthu” were the first team to beat Sundowns this season and traditionally provide tough opposition for Sundowns who last week scored a good away win over Umtata Bucks.
All games must be played to a result. If the scores are level first extra time and then penalties will be used to get a result.