ROB DAVIES, Johannesburg | Friday 9.35am.
THE Giants of South African soccer, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, will clash in the first-leg semifinals of the multimillion-rand Rothmans Cup on Saturday, and fans can be sure that the battle will be one of epic proportions.
What is certain is that the match will be a tight affair, and defence will be the name of the game. A goalless draw seems a likelihood, and goals are certain to be the rarest of commodities on Saturday.
Defending champions Chiefs may just have the slightest disadvantage going into the match, coming off a goalless premiership draw against the Buccaneers earlier this month, in which they looked somewhat out of their depth.
The midfielders in both teams will possibly hold the keys to victory and an advantage in the second leg that will be played on the weekend of November 14-15. Pirates stalwarts John Moeti, Dumi Ngobe and Brendon Silent will have to counter the skills of Robson Muchichwa, Thabo Mooki, Thabang Lebese and Doctor Khumalo.
Up front Sibusiso Zuma and Phumlani Mkhize will be the Buccaneers’ cutlasses, while Pollen Ndlanya and Marc Batchelor will do the talking for Chiefs. Jerry “Legs of Thunder” Sikhosana might also be called on to blast his way past Chiefs keeper Brian Baloyi in the second half.
Predictions are out of the question, as both sides have proved themselves to be able to upset a scoreline in seconds.
In the other semifinal on Sunday, giant-killers Seven Stars will take on last year’s beaten finalists Mamelodi Sundowns at the Odi Stadium north of Pretoria.
THEY SAID IT
“I think the match will be a tie for a while because it is a final, but once Western Province get their noses in front they’ll go on to win.” –Springbok Technical Adviser Jake White on the outcome of the Currie Cup rugby final between Western Province and the Blue Bulls, being played at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
“The young guys in our side definitely have what it takes. We will be the underdogs, but last week they showed their hunger. “I think we are going to win. But this is a young team and I want them to enjoy themselves and display the talents that were given to them.” — Blue Bulls skipper and Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen ahead of the Currie Cup final.