Kaizer Chiefs have an opportunity to keep the kudu horn Vodacom Challenge trophy by winning it for the third consecutive time, but they can be foiled by FC St Eloi Lupopo in the final at King’s Park on Sunday.
The team from the Democratic Republic of Congo knocked out a mediocre Orlando Pirates in a penalty shoot-out after coming back from a goal down and forcing a draw. Pirates had taken the lead through a controversial penalty for handball.
Chiefs’ Achilles’ heel, their often disorganised defence that loses concentration at crucial times, could cost them the championship.
Regularly, Chiefs’ trump card has been on the right wing from where Arthur Zwane supplies quality balls into the penalty area, makes runs and is not scared of taking on defenders.
The sensational Jabu Pule is always a marvel to watch, as he confirmed in the semifinal against Asante Kotoko of Ghana. The mobile and flexible Pule, the Castle Premiership players’ player of the year last season, can prove a menace to Lupopo.
Lupopo will be looking at becoming the first side from outside South Africa to win this competition, which is now in its fourth edition. Pirates take on Kotoko in a curtain-raiser play-off to decide third place.
Lupopo’s Kuramba Musasa is a composed striker who has a knack for scoring goals and he could prove a handful for the sluggish Chiefs defence.
Midfielder Mantondobi Profa, sent off in the game against Pirates, is suspended.
The officiating was dubious in the semifinals and we can only hope that poor refereeing will not mar the final.
The faithful Amakhosi multitudes will be descending on Durban, with failure to defend their title the last thing on their minds. But some room should be left for disappointment, as Chiefs have proved unreliable and inconsistent.
The Glamour Boys are using this tournament as pre-season preparation and will not be taking prisoners. The Telkom Charity Cup is nearing and a show of prowess and consistency will be important for the reigning Mandela Cup champions in their first clashes against Premiership competition.
Peter Matshitse, the signing from Moroka Swallows, was the only new player paraded in the semifinal but he was not as impressive as during his heydays at the Birds, when he was known as a defensive midfielder who stamped his authority on games.
The final promises fireworks and creative, fast-flowing and entertaining soccer from both sides.
Meanwhile, Jomo Sono, Bafana Bafana’s coach, announced an 18-member squad this week to face Madagascar in a Cosafa Cup quarterfinal in Port Elizabeth on July 21.
The squad includes two members who play for overseas clubs; the others are all based in South Africa.
In defence, the selection of Hilton Jordan from Cosmos is baffling when Edries Burton of Santos is available.
Steve Lekoelea, the Pirates midfielder, also got the nod. He did not play regularly last season and failed to impress when he did come on as a substitute.
The addition of Ria Stars’ Thapelo Liau might have brought more colour to a midfield that includes the crafty but often ill-disciplined Benedict Vilakazi of Pirates, Pule, hardworking Brett Evans of Ajax Cape Town, the ever-creative Steve Pienaar from Ajax Amsterdam, the in-form and quick Dikgang Mabalane from Cosmos and the versatile Clement Mazibuko from Bush Bucks. MacBeth Sibaya of Cosmos and Teboho Mokoena, who plays for St Gallen in Switzerland, can be expected to shore up the defence.
Supersport’s Patrick Mayo did not play much last season because of injury, but may well be selected regularly this season. Jimmy Kauleza of Free State Stars is a capable striker who can easily torment defenders if he is well supplied from the midfield.
This will be the third time Bafana face Madagascar, with the South Africans having won the first two.