Andrew Muchineripi previews the weekend’s clash of the giants
The Rothmans Cup knockout soccer competition has been described, with considerable justification, as the “unbelievable” event of the lengthy South African soccer season.
Aware of the need to make an immediate impact when they launched
the cup two years ago, the sponsors offered a R1-million first prize, which put each Premiership club treasurer into a spin.
It is not that long ago, after all, that soccer clubs in this country were playing for peanuts, especially when compared to the vast amounts pumped into cricket and rugby, the other members of the South African “big three”.
As the first Rothmans Cup kicked off, some bright spark coined the “unbelievable” phrase and a series of remarkable occurrences on the field justified the extravagant label.
This season we have witnessed an equally “unbelievable” Rothmans Cup with the first-round elimination of Chiefs by traditionally poor cup competitors Hellenic.
We have also seen the worst publicity imaginable for the Premier Soccer League and the sponsors with Free State Stars winning both legs of a quarter-final against Jomo Cosmos only to become locked in a boardroom struggle. Cosmos claimed Stars defender Themba Seli was ineligible to play in the return match at Vosloorus Stadium and lodged a protest just after the televised match kicked off.
We all watched in disbelief as referee Ian McLeod stopped the match almost immediately after he started it.
Cosmos won the case and were reinstated only for Stars to win an appeal against the original verdict. Cosmos then demanded arbitration and the result had not been announced when this newspaper went to press.
Arbitration should be the end of an extremely unfortunate saga unless the losers opt for court action and, rumour has it, at least one club is seriously considering this. I hope not, for the image of soccer in this country.
It is not all gloom and doom, however, because the prospect of Orlando Pirates meeting Sundowns in the second leg of a semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday is certainly setting my pulse racing a little faster than usual. Pirates hold a 1-0 lead, earned through an early Dennis Lota goal at Loftus, so a draw will see Pirates through to their first Rothmans Cup decider.
However, Sundowns possess so much attacking potential that I cannot see Pirates sitting back and trying to defend their slender advantage. Besides, the Sea Robbers also possess considerable power up front. Zambian international Lota has been on a hot scoring streak with three against Africa Sports of Cte d’Ivoire, one against Sundowns and two more last Sunday against Bloemfontein Celtic on the eve of his 27th birthday.
Frank Schoeman, a much- improved defender since joining Sundowns from Bush Bucks, could be the man detailed to defuse the Lota threat, while much will depend on captain Daniel Mudau at the other end. The leading 1998/99 Premiership scorer came close several times in the first encounter, and his duel with Guy-Roger Nzeng promises to have a significant impact on the result.
Pirates boss Irvin “The Iron Duke” Khoza says he wants two of the three domestic trophies – Castle Premiership, Rothmans Cup, Bob Save Super Bowl – in his trophy cabinet this season.
With many points already lost in the national championship through draws, the cup competitions probably represent the best bets and I believe Pirates can succeed and squash the Dolezar dream of an “unbelievable” hat-trick.
The first leg of the other semi-final is scheduled for Sunday at Vosloorus, if Cosmos win the right to face Manning Rangers, or at QwaQwa if Stars emerge victorious off the field.
Frankly, I do not mind who wins this one, just as long as it takes place.