Andrew Muchineripi soccer Think carefully about the question I am about to pose before you answer it: what are the most common words on the lips of football fans ahead of any cup final? A clue. It is so obvious that it may not be obvious. Without fear of contradiction I declare that “Who will win?” is asked more often than any other question. At first it seems a pretty stupid question because the obvious answer ahead of the BP Top 8 decider at FNB stadium on Saturday afternoon has to be Orlando Pirates. Man for man, Pirates are a better team than Ajax Cape Town. Man for man, Pirates are more skilful. Man for man, Pirates are more experienced. Man for man, Pirates are more used to the tension and the hype. Perhaps most importantly, man for man Pirates have much greater strength in depth. If both teams lost six regulars to flu on the morning of the match, it would hurt Pirates and cripple Ajax. Which brings me back to the issue of who will win. If it is so obvious that Bucs will win, what is the point in you or I spending money on taxis, pap, vleis, cool drinks and a match ticket to go and witness the magnificently inevitable? Therein lies the magnetic appeal of cup football. The only safe prediction regarding this weekend is that once the match ends, Pirates coach Gordon Igesund has a wedding to catch.
What a wonderful human aside to such a serious occasion. Miss Igesund arranged her wedding many months ago, long before daddy swopped the relative tranquillity of Manning Rangers for success-starved Pirates. Dad moves to Pirates, Pirates reach the final and, suddenly, we have a family at war (in the nicest possible way, of course). But like all fairytales, there will be a happy ending. A Johannesburg talk-radio station has offered to fly the father of the bride by helicopter to Johannesburg International airport, where he will catch the 6pm flight to Durban and attend the wedding reception. But before that, Igesund has a race of a rather different kind to win. Pirates have not captured a major domestic trophy since lifting the Top 8 in 1996 with a 3-0 replay victory over Free State Stars. Those were the days of Phiri Tsotetsi, Gavin “Stability Unit” Lane, Guy-Roger Nzeng, the late Clifford Moleko, John Moeti, Dumisa Ngobe, Helman Mkhalele and Jerry “Legs of Thunder” Sikhosana. How times have changed! Only goalkeeper William Okpara is still in contention for a place from that line-up and whether he or Grant Johnson gets the nod is sure to occupy a fair amount of time for Igesund. Johnson did concede three goals against former club Manning Rangers last weekend, including one for which he must accept full responsibility, but he also made a series of outstanding saves. I suspect Okpara will get the nod in a team that is, otherwise, likely to be largely unchanged from that which impressed so much going forward against Rangers in a thrilling 5-3 triumph at Chatsworth Stadium. While Pirates edged Jomo Cosmos and Sundowns by 2-1 margins to reach the final, Ajax pipped Rangers in a penalty shoot- out before causing the upset of the competition by firing three late goals past Kaizer Chiefs. Coach Henk Bodewes is too worldy wise to have been fooled by some of the post-match media hysteria. Indeed, his worst fears have been realised as a talented young team have failed to win in three Castle Premiership matches. A lacklustre 1-1 draw at Moroka Swallows, an error-ridden 2- 2 draw at home to African Wanderers and a 3-0 drubbing from modest Free State Stars at Globe Park in Bethlehem. That, coupled with the fact that Pirates have a 100% record in the league, probably means Ajax will defy logic and lift the Top 8 trophy and a first prize of more than R800 000. Football becomes more money-oriented by the day and the fact that there is so much lolly on offer virtually guarantees that we will not have a repeat of the 1999 Charity Spectacular when the Bucanneers cantered to a 3-0 success. Psychologically, Ajax will draw comfort from the fact they defeated Pirates home and away in the championship last season with a wonderful goal from teenager Steven Pienaar highlighting the 3-2 victory at FNB stadium. Add an appetising curtain-raiser between arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns for third place and there is no reason why the recent trend toward smaller crowds should not be reversed.
Let us hope so, anyway, as the start of the English Premiership once again brought home to me how important a role fans play. I am no lover of English football, but the atmosphere at their grounds is truly electric.