/ 9 August 2011

Soweto giants avoid each other in MTN8 semis

South Africa’s biggest club’s, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, avoided each other in the MTN8 semi-final draw conducted on Tuesday night at the PSL offices in Parktown.

Pirates, the defending champions, play Mamelodi Sundowns and drawn to play the first of the two legs at home.

Chiefs, who were drawn first out the pot, will play Ajax Cape Town with the first match at home.

Former Chiefs playing legend and assistant coach Donald Khuse said that he was hoping that the Soweto Derby would be in the final set for next month.

“It’s good that we avoided Pirates at this stage and hopefully we will meet them in the final if we win our respective fixtures,” said Khuse.

Pirates coach Julio Leal was less concerned about who they faced in the last four of the competition considering that all teams finished in the top four in the league last season.

The Soweto giants have met each other twice already in pre-season with the Buccaneers winning both.

The first was a 1-0 win over Amakhosi in Port Elizabeth and the second in the Carling Black Label Cup at FNB Stadium where Pirates triumphed on penalties.

“I’m happy with the draw, but in reality, it doesn’t really matter who you play because all teams are the top four in the country”, he said.

“I will plan for Sundowns in due time at the moment the team is preparing at defending our other trophy, in the league that is kicking off this coming weekend” he added.

The winner of the first trophy of the new campaign will walk away with R8-million.

The first leg of the fixtures will take place on the weekend of August 19 and 20 with the venues and dates for both matches set to be announced by the league later in the week. — Sapa