MTN8: All eyes on the Brazilians as African conquerors
JOBURG – Can the African conquerors, Mamelodi Sundowns multi-task in the new season?
As the 2016/17 MTN8 competition is set to kick-off on 26 August, all eyes will be on the African-conquering Mamelodi Sundown to see whether they will be able to continue last season’s form.
The Brazilians or Yellow Machine, as Sundowns have come to be known to their loyal fans, will host crosstown rivals, SuperSport United, while the other fixture of keen interest will be between last season’s runners-up, Kaizer Chiefs, playing against Cape Town City FC.
The match between Chiefs and Cape Town City FC will be played at the majestic Cape Town Stadium on 26 August at 8pm. This will be the first of the four quarter-final fixtures that weekend and an opportunity for Cape Town City FC to showcase their potential in their first domestic cup competition.
Chiefs, having lost to another Cape side, Ajax Cape Town in last season’s MTN8 final, are determined to write a new chapter in this season’s competition.
On 27 August at 3pm, Chippa United will make their maiden appearance in the MTN8 competition when they travel to Rustenburg to play Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Chippa United enjoyed an impressive run of form at the end of the 2015/16 season and they will be coming up against Stars who have carved a reputation for being dangerous in cup competitions.
Later on the same day (8.15pm), league runners-up Bidvest Wits will be at home to Orlando Pirates at the Bidvest Stadium. Pirates, under new coach Muhsin Ertugral, will be looking to make a bold statement against a Bidvest Wits side that challenged for the league title last season and are now desperately searching for silverware.
On Sunday, 28 August, reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns will be at home at Loftus Versfeld against crosstown rivals SuperSport United in the Tshwane derby. The match will kick-off at 3pm.
After their all-conquering African safari, all eyes will be on the Brazilians to see whether they continue that run of form into the domestic league.
When Pirates have played in African competitions, they have tended to slump in the domestic league and it will be interesting to see how Downs can multi-task in this environment.
- 26 August 2016
Cape Town City FC vs Kaizer Chiefs (Cape Town Stadium) 8pm
- 27 August 2016
Platinum Stars vs Chippa United (Royal Bafokeng) 3pm
Bidvest Wits vs Orlando Pirates (Bidvest Stadium) 8.15pm
- 28 August 2016
Mamelodi Sundowns vs SuperSport United (Loftus Versfeld) 3pm.
