Every club would like to be the first to get its name inscribed on a new trophy — and bank the prize money, of course. But the randomness of the draw sometimes means the heavyweights could fall at the first hurdle.
The Absa Cup — which replaces the Bob Save competition — pits 32 sides in a knockout test for the R1,5-million first prize. But it appears the minnows have the advantage in the competition’s inaugural year.
Of the 16 Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs, 12 have been drawn against each other in the first round.
The pick of the weekend’s action takes place on Saturday when high-flying Golden Arrows take on Coca-Cola Cup champions Jomo Cosmos at Chatsworth stadium. Arrows have been firing on all cylinders, with young utility striker Mabhuda Khanyeza being their main scorer.
Cosmos’s league challenge appears to have fizzled out, so the Absa Cup appears to be their only chance to add to their silverware this season.
Gordon Igesund’s Ajax Cape Town will be looking to defeat PSL title pretenders Dynamos and provide the interest of a good cup run to make up for a forgettable league season.
On Sunday Orlando Pirates take on Bush Bucks. The Umtata-based side eliminated Bucs from the Coke Cup early this season, so there might be an element of revenge on the minds of Pirates players.
Bucks assistant coach Nigel Dixon played down the importance of the fixture: ”There’s nothing special about the cup and we’ll prepare for this game as for any other.”
The other Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs, have a slightly easier task when they take on FC Sporting –fourth in the first division coastal stream — on Saturday at Ellis Park.
The first division team will have to produce a miracle if they are to beat Chiefs, who are known as cup specialist. Amakhosi were the first to win the Rothmans Cup and the Coke Cup and they would like to continue that trend of being first in everything.