THE rivalry between Soweto and Pretoria resumes again today when Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates tackle Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup.
Hearts are expected to flutter for most of the day, starting at 3pm when Chiefs host SuperSport at FNB Stadium this afternoon. Sundowns will entertain Pirates in the second fixture of the cup.
The rivalry even extends to the league race, where Chiefs and Sundowns are challenging for the Absa Premiership title.
Chiefs are under pressure following defeats against Sundowns and Mpumalanga Black Aces.
But for today, the four sides will cast their gaze at the Nedbank trophy.
Questions are now being asked if SuperSport coach Cavin Johnson was the right man for the job after he was brought in in a blaze of publicity at the start of the season.
With the league title out of reach, this is his chance to repay his bosses by beating Chiefs and going all the way to win the cup.
Pirates have been to many knockout finals but often came back empty-handed. But a golden chance to win the cup and the league title presents itself for the star-studded Sundowns.
A worried Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is concerned by a mysterious injury to top striker Knowledge Musona, who has been ruled out of today’s clash.
“Musona complained about pains in his leg but for some strange reason our medical team could not detect the injury. We will continue to do more tests on him because we need his services as we have a lot of games to play this month,” said Chiefs media boss Vina Maphosa.
The Zimbabwean international, who has been in a fine form in recent games, cut a forlorn figure on the sidelines this week as teammates went about their training at their ground in Naturena.
Katlego Mphela is expected to fill the gap left by Musona. But the focus will be on two of the country’s most talented keepers, Itumeleng Khune, and Ronwen Williams, whose performance could decide the outcome of the game.
Khune admitted they let their coach down when losing their past two games.
“United are a difficult side to beat, but we are going flat-out to make up for our recent poor performance,” said the skipper.
SuperSport will be without the services of lanky striker Mame Niang, who has to have surgery.
But Johnson has enough ammunition at his disposal in the form of Lebogang Manyama, Dino Ndlovu and Thuso Phala to bother a Chiefs defence marshaled by Eric Mathoho.
Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego, who is reported to have fully recovered from an injury, makes a timely return today to lead the Brazilians against his former team. This will give coach Pitso Mosimane more options upfront where he has equally gifted goal poachers in Cuthbert Malajila, Anthony Laffor and Surprise Moriri.