Pirates to face Wits in MTN8 clash

Orlando Pirates will be facing near neighbour Bidvets Wits in the second MTN8 semi-finals match.

The match will be played at Bidvest Wits home grounds. The kick-off is at 15:00.

The Southern based club, Buccaneers, were the beaten finalists last year and have played in three of the last four finals, two of which were won back to back in 2010 and 2011.

The local side is the second most successful side in the history of the competition, having won nine titles.

Vladamir Vermezovic’s men will be keen to atone for the disappointment of ending runners-up in every single competition they played last term.

Eric Tinkler, assistant to the Serbian head coach, said: “Wits have strengthened their team this season so we can expect a different proposition to that we faced in the Nedbank Cup final in May, but we look forward to a great game.”

For Wits skipper Sibusiso Vilakazi, whose side were semi-finalists last year, the home leg could be crucial in determining who reaches the final.

“It’s an opportunity for Wits to go all the way to the final, but first we have to play these two matches against Pirates,” last season’s Player of the Season, said. “We are hoping that after our home leg, we will have put ourselves in a good position and it will take us all the way to the final.”