SuperSport in pole position to defend Nedbank Cup
JOBURG – The semifinals of the Premier Soccer League's richest cup, the Nedbank Cup 2017 will be played on the weekend of 20 and 21 May in Durban and East London.
Holders SuperSport United are the firm favourites to reach the finals of the Nedbank Cup when they take on unpredictable Chippa United in a semi-final tie at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, East London.
This tie, in which the Chilli Boys as Chippa are popularly known in their neck of the woods, will be making their debut appearance in the semi-final of the competition which will be played on 20 May with kick-off set for 3pm.
Chippa play one of the most exciting brands of non-stop attacking football which has earned them the status of being the darlings of armchair spectators, but the Eastern Cape side will be up against an unforgiving SuperSport which has annexed this cup twice in the past six years, in 2012 and 2016.
Another point in favour of SuperSport to reach the finals is that they have been in the finals of this cup thrice in the last six years, and they would like to make history in becoming the first team to successfully defend the cup, now in its 10th year.
If Chilli Boys coach Dan ‘Dance’ Malesela is equal to the task and annexes the cup, he will be the first coach of the so-called small clubs to have their name engraved on the cup.
This could also propel Malesela, a former Orlando Pirates player, to coaching stardom as he is already said to be on the radar of the Mighty Buccaneers.
The other semi-final tie will be between last year’s runners-up, the Buccaneers up against another tricky and unpredictable side in the form of Lamontville Golden Arrows. Arrows are in a buoyant mood as they bundled out high-flying African and Super Cup champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-final round of the competition.
The Buccaneers on the other hand will be looking to brighten up one of their worst seasons with a consolation prize by winning the Premiership’s richest trophy on offer. The quicker the Buccaneers forget this nightmarish season the better, and the only way to do this is to ensure they lock away this cup in their trophy cabinet.
The Arrows-Pirates match will be played at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban on 21 May, with kick-off set for 3pm.
Read: Mouthwatering clashes in Nedbank Cup
