Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will use this fortnight to set the tone for a season during which both will look to drastically alter their fortunes. This will be against continental opposition in the annual Vodacom Challenge, taking place this weekend at the Mmabatho stadium in the North West and next weekend at King’s Park in Durban.
Pirates seek to rediscover the discipline that saw them win the league title under Gordon Igesund two seasons ago, only to desert them in the second half of last season, where they finished as runners-up to Santos. As for Chiefs, they are under immense pressure to improve on what amounted to a pear-shaped season.
It started with victories in this competition, the Top 8, the inaugural Coca-Cola Cup and the Mandela Cup, only to dissipate when a run of poor results saw them lose the privilege of defending the Top 8 by finishing outside the qualifying group.
Poor communication saw them also lose the opportunity of defending the Mandela Cup, when they were expelled after missing a match.
The league title, which has eluded them since 1992, could be their only source of redemption. The first chance to put things right presents itself on Sunday when, in a repeat of last year’s final, Chiefs take on Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko in the second semifinal.
Pirates play FC Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first semifinal at 12.30 pm. The third place play-off and final will take place on the East Coast next weekend.
In a tournament where Jabu Pule first came to prominence, both local teams will aim to unveil a new sensation. Pirates should parade their new signing, Nigerian striker Paul Nwachkwu, while Chiefs will hope young strikers Rene Richards and Kelvin Mushangazike pick up from the glimpse of promise they showed last season.