TUESDAY, 1.00PM:
MANNING Rangers have been drawn against Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates will meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the Rothmans Cup semi-final. The first leg of the semi-finals will be played on the weekend of November 1 and 2, with the second leg played on the weekend of the November 14 and 15.
The draw offers a possible dream final between Chiefs and Pirates, should they win their respective semi-final encounters.
Rangers and Pirates have home ground advantage in the first leg, meaning that the encounter between Rangers and Chiefs will be played in Durban and the Pirates-Sundowns match in Johannesburg.
Premier Soccer League PRO Andrew Dipela said the final dates and venues will be announced on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Rangers coach Gordon Igesund was happy at the prospect of playing Chiefs in the semi-finals. “I asked the players which of the three clubs they would prefer playing against and, to a man, they said Chiefs,” said Igesund.
His counterpart at Chiefs Paul Dolezar said he was pleased with the draw. He said Chiefs will start their campaign by beating Rangers in a League game at Johannesburg Stadium next Wednesday. “That will set the tone for the Cup game. We have to win and go into the cup tie in Durban with that mental advantage,” said the Amakhosi coach.