SOCCER: Gerald Combrinck
UMTATA Bucks boss Chain Vilikazi refers to them as the unholy three, and by Sunday there will be only two left, because one of either Sundowns or Kaizer Chiefs will be out of the Coca Cola Cup. The remaining part of the pact, Orlando Pirates, face a tough task when they visit Charles Mopeli stadium to take on defending champions Qwa Qwa Stars.
But the game that will undoubtedly evoke the most interest is the Chiefs/Sundowns game at Odi on Saturday. The last time the two giants met, a 10-man Sundowns team beat the Amakhosi 1-0, the goal being scored by the Brazilians’ super-sub Solly Phetla in injury time.
But since then, the Brazilians have been on a “Down”, and amid poor form and internal problems, coach Clemens Westerhof has been finding his first season in South African soccer a tough one.
Despite Chiefs supporters’ unhappiness with coach Augosto Palacios, club PRO Louis Tshakoane is confident of victory tomorrow. “One hundred and twenty five of our supporters branches will be at the game. We always play our best against Sundowns,” he said, and added, “Pirates should avoid us, we want them in the final to beat them in front of 100 000 people.”
Pirates were stunned by Moroka Swallows at Tembisa on Sunday when the relegation-threatened Birds held the Pirates to a 1-1 draw. The fact that Pirates are taking part in African competition has hampered their league
But Pirates will face a test of a different kind when they take on Qwa Qwa Stars, and even though they are struggling with injuries, PRO Skumbuzo Mthembu is confident of victory. “We give 200 percent with every game, and Sunday will be no exception, even though our squad is very thin at the moment,” he said.
But Stars are still smarting from their defeat against Spurs last Sunday and have vowed that no Gauteng team will taste “Coke” this season.
At least one coastal team will be in the semifinal, and Hellenic will be hoping that it’s them when they meet Rangers at Chatsworth on Sunday.
Hellenic beat Rangers 2-0 in a league game last weekend, but a cup game is a different story against the Durban side, who beat Umtata Bucks in the last round of the competition.
Cape Town Spurs go into their game against Wits at Athlone on Sunday after a nightmare league encounter against Qwa Qwa Stars. After having defender Sebba Rodriques sent off, Stars were awarded a penalty, which was saved by goalkeeper Andre Arendse. Then the referee played seven minutes of injury time!
Despite being hammered 3-0 recently by Spurs, Wits PRO Steve Tsima is confident of victory. “The defeat was a blessing in disguise, but the big guns can expect to see us in the semifinal,” he said.