FRIDAY, 8.45AM:
The long-awaited Rothmans semi-finals kick off on Saturday with Orlando Pirates hosting Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium at 3pm. On Sunday, Manning Rangers entertain Kaizer Chiefs at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban.
Most of the coaches envolved in the semi-finals are less concerned with their opponents than with what they regard as the deteriorating standard of refereeing.
Sundowns’ Ted Dumitru has made a call to the PSL to give them a capable referee to officiate the game against Pirates. ”I’m not just speaking for Sundowns. Other officials are also alarmed at the standard of refereeing in the PSL. There is simple no consistency,” said Dumitru.
But he warned Pirates not to think they will have it their own way against his side, which he rates as one of the formidable in the league. ”We’ve beaten them [Pirates] in the league [2-1] at the FNB Stadium and had the better of them in two pre-season friendlies. They won’t have too many answers to what I have planned for them.”
Sunday’s game between Rangers and Chiefs looks set to be reminicent of the drawn Premiership game at Ellis Park, with both teams coming at each other. Chiefs coach Paul Dolezar believes that in Doctor Khumalo he has a secret weapon to upset the ”Mighty Maulers”.