GRUDGE matches, rivalries and revenge will be the order of the MTN8 semifinals, the first legs of which kick off with Platinum Stars hosting Kaizer Chiefs at Royal Bafokeng Stadium tonight.
If there was any doubt the 2014-15 season will be one of the most competitive ever, the line-up for the semis of the season’s first cup competition only shows again how determined the big names in football are to win silverware.
Only league champions Mamelodi Sundowns are missing. And they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by the giant-killers of last season, Platinum, who earned an unprecedented cup double in 2013-14 in the MTN and Telkom Knockout.
Stars meet Chiefs, who they beat 2-1 in the Telkom semis in December.
Pirates’ tie against Wits tomorrow is a replay of last season’s Nedbank Cup final in Durban, won 3-1 by the Buccaneers.
Chiefs have been arguably the form team of the season so far despite key injuries to forwards Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Amakhosi have started with three clinical league and cup victories. This included their 4-0 quarterfinal dismantling of Black Aces, who Amakhosi also beat 2-1 in the league in Nelspruit in midweek.
Coach Stuart Baxter has been pleased with his side’s early focus.
“We created so many chances and didn’t take them. The longer we were 2-1 up, Aces being a good side, came at us hard. Many teams will go to Nelspruit and find it difficult to get a point.”
Apart from reaching a cup final, the Students finished an impressive third in the PSL in Gavin Hunt’s first season. This campaign the coach has made an interesting array of signings, including a fresh-looking Dillon Sheppard and defenders Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi.
“To get a big game like this so early in the season is good for us,” Hunt said this week.
“We’ve got a new team and a lot of new players trying to find their way.”
Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic, still seeking his first league win having dispatched of SuperSport United in the MTN quarters, knows his side will not have an easy two legs against well organised Wits.
“Of course it’s a big one but our team played already once last season in a cup final and they know what to expect. This game will be totally different to league games because it’s 180 minutes, not 90. “And I know nothing will be over in the first leg.”
The second legs will be played in two weeks.
MTN8 quarterfinals:
Tonight: Platinum Stars v Kaizer Chiefs (Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 8.15pm – SuperSport HD4 and SABC1).
Tomorrow: Bidvest Wits v Orlando Pirates (Bidvest Stadium, 3pm – SuperSport HD4 and SABC1).
Now it’s call to arms
If there was any doubt the 2014-15 season will be one of the most competitive ever, the line-up for the semis of the season’s first cup competition only shows again how determined the big names in football are to win silverware.
Only league champions Mamelodi Sundowns are missing. And they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by the giant-killers of last season, Platinum, who earned an unprecedented cup double in 2013-14 in the MTN and Telkom Knockout.
Stars meet Chiefs, who they beat 2-1 in the Telkom semis in December.
Pirates’ tie against Wits tomorrow is a replay of last season’s Nedbank Cup final in Durban, won 3-1 by the Buccaneers.
Chiefs have been arguably the form team of the season so far despite key injuries to forwards Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Amakhosi have started with three clinical league and cup victories. This included their 4-0 quarterfinal dismantling of Black Aces, who Amakhosi also beat 2-1 in the league in Nelspruit in midweek.
Coach Stuart Baxter has been pleased with his side’s early focus.
“We created so many chances and didn’t take them. The longer we were 2-1 up, Aces being a good side, came at us hard. Many teams will go to Nelspruit and find it difficult to get a point.”
Apart from reaching a cup final, the Students finished an impressive third in the PSL in Gavin Hunt’s first season. This campaign the coach has made an interesting array of signings, including a fresh-looking Dillon Sheppard and defenders Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi.
“To get a big game like this so early in the season is good for us,” Hunt said this week.
“We’ve got a new team and a lot of new players trying to find their way.”
Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic, still seeking his first league win having dispatched of SuperSport United in the MTN quarters, knows his side will not have an easy two legs against well organised Wits.
“Of course it’s a big one but our team played already once last season in a cup final and they know what to expect. This game will be totally different to league games because it’s 180 minutes, not 90. “And I know nothing will be over in the first leg.”
The second legs will be played in two weeks.
MTN8 quarterfinals:
Tonight: Platinum Stars v Kaizer Chiefs (Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 8.15pm – SuperSport HD4 and SABC1).
Tomorrow: Bidvest Wits v Orlando Pirates (Bidvest Stadium, 3pm – SuperSport HD4 and SABC1).
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