With a R4,25-million winners’ prize dangling in front of them, the competing teams in the weekend’s Telkom Knockout games will be pondering the substantial monetary implications of winning and losing.
But for affluent and apparently cup-jinxed Orlando Pirates, the game against Maritzburg United at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday could be more a case of courting their myriad supporters for love, not money.
What the army of fans is demanding with increasing intensity is that Pirates shed their growing image of Cup chokers after failing to annex a major knock-out competition during the past five seasons.
Adding to the fans’ fright is the fact that modest Maritzburg United have already beaten the Buccaneers in a Premier Soccer League game this season, and with former Pirates coach Kosta Papic at the helm, they are champing at the bit to embarrass their more renowned opponents again.
So, Pirates are fighting with their backs to the wall. The form that recently obliterated log leaders Silver Stars seems likely to do the same to Maritzburg United, but if the Buccaneers demonstrate the same lacklustre traits that sent them sliding to defeat against Supersport United in their last fixture, it could mean more anxiety and heartache for the fans.
The key player in Pirates’ scheme of operations would appear to be the enigmatic Jabu Mahlangu, who can be quite a frustrating fellow.
Another fancied team playing away from home in the Telkom Knockout are Supersport United, who are confronted by a desperate Black Leopards at Thohoyandou and could find the heat wave forecast for the area on Saturday as disconcerting as anything else.
Supersport would do well to note that initial games in the competition have demonstrated that being favourites commands little respect, with both Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns coming desperately close to defeat and high-riding Jomo Cosmos going down at home to Santos.
Moroka Swallows will be acutely aware of the importance of showing their best plumage when they face Benoni Premier United at Germiston Stadium on Sunday in the third knockout match of the weekend.
With a squad that appeared capable of challenging strongly for honours in the Premier Soccer League this season, the Birds have been flying both high and low and need to sharpen their scoring claws if the Telkom Knockout is not to become another jarring setback to their ambitions. — Sapa
Soccer fixtures
Premier League
Friday: Wits University vs Bloemfontein Celtic at Bidvest Stadium (8pm)
Telkom Knockout
Saturday: Black Leopards vs Supersport United at Thohoyandou (3.15pm); Maritzburg United vs Orlando Pirates at Chatsworth Stadium (3.15pm)
Sunday: Benoni Premier United vs Moroka Swallows at Germiston Stadium (3.15pm)