FILE PHOTO: Kaizer Chiefs' Head Coach, Molefi Ntseki and Mamelodi Sundowns' head coach, Rhulani Mokwena at the presser that took place today at the PSL Offices. PICTURE: Kaizer Chiefs/Twitter
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0 JOHANNESBURG: Sundowns have the edge and odds on their side to take the advantage back to Tshwane.
The MTN8 clashes take centre stage this weekend with mouthwatering semi-final first-leg matches.
The shortest cup competition in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) pits DSTV Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns against the Mighty Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium, Soweto, on Saturday. The following day, Orlando Pirates will take on Stellenbosch FC.
Sundowns have the edge and odds on their side to take the advantage back to Tshwane in the second leg by getting the better of Amakhosi in the first leg. The Brazilians have already beaten Chiefs this season in the league and would want to maintain their dominance over them. In the previous five matches, Sundowns have won four and drew one.
Chiefs, who are yet to get the better of their Tshwane rivals since 2021, would want to go further in the competition and finally get one over the Brazilians.
Chiefs’ coach Molefi Ntseki is under immense pressure to end the club’s long trophy drought and the fans have grown impatient.
Incidentally, he has already felt their wrath after a 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy in the league two weeks ago. The fans pelted him with objects.
Rulani Mokwena’s side is expected to walk away with the victory away, as they are firing on all cylinders with players like Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Themba Zwane in form.
On the other hand, the Glamour boys would want to reclaim their moniker as the cup specialists by lifting trophies this season. The match promises to be an interesting one.
Moving on to Sunday MTN8 defending champions Orlando Pirates will collide with Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium in the second semi-final. Similar to Sundowns, Pirates are the favourites to walk away with the advantage against Stellies, who lost 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday at the same stadium.
However, Pirates should be wary of the Cape Tonians, who have already shocked them this season when they beat the Buccaneers 1-0 in their opening league match. Coached by Steve Barker, the Cape Side would want to create their own history by making it to the final for the first time.
With the league on pause, all eyes would be on the winner-take-all-all competition to see who would take advantage to the second legs.
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