MTN8 Semi-finals action
Defending champions Platinum Stars host 14-time champions Kaizer Chiefs at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in the first game on Saturday.
MTN8 semi-final first-legs will be played out this weekend, when all four teams will be looking to take a big step towards the final with strong displays in Rustenburg and Johannesburg.
The first fixture will feature defending champions, Platinum Stars, playing at home against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday August 16. Kick-off is at 20:15.
Defending champions Platinum Stars host 14-time champions Kaizer Chiefs at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in the first game on Saturday, while last season’s runners-up Orlando Pirates travel to Bidvest Stadium to take on two-time winners Bidvest Wits on Sunday.
The four teams in the last four boast 26 titles between them, and all will feel confident of adding the first trophy of the South African season to their cabinet in the coming weeks.
For Dikwena, the title was one of two they hold from last year having also clinched the Telkom Knockout.
They also upset ABSA Premierhsip champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the opening round, and coach Allan Freese is hoping they can build on those successes against Amakhosi, who they have beaten at home in their last two meetings.
“We started the competition well and we can hopefully build on that in the semi-finals,” he said. “There’s no secret behind doing well in a cup, we always go out there to win.”
Striker Patrick Malokase felt they needed to make most of the Rustenburg advantage in the first leg.
“We just want to see ourselves in the final,” he said. “We will do our best to make sure we reach there. We have Chiefs and we will be ready for them. We need to do our part at home and we will see from there.”
Chiefs have won the competition just once in the PSL era, dating back to 2007 and 2008.
And captain Itumeleng Khune is also well aware of their poor recent record against Stars.
“It is going to be huge one against Platinum Stars, a team that is a tough nut to crack,” the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper said. “They have given us problems before, but we have shown over the weekend that we are more than ready.”
His reference to the weekend was the way they opened their account in the competition with a 4-0 demolition of Mpumalanga Black Aces.
