MTN8: Soweto giants avoid semi-final clash
PARKTOWN – The Soweto giants avoided a semi-final clash in the MTN8 Cup draw which was held at the PSL offices in Parktown.
Orlando Pirates will face Bidvest Wits, while Kaizer Chiefs will be up against defending champions, Platinum Stars. The semi-final round of matches will be played over two legs, home and away, on the weekends of August 16/17 and August 23/24.
Times and venues will be announced at a later stage, with all four teams fairly confident of claiming the title and the R8 million in prize money.
Wits was the first team to book their spot in the last four, with a penalty shootout victory over Bloemfontein Celtic at the Bidvest Stadium in Parktown. Pirates overcame SuperSport United 2-1, Stars shocked defending PSL champions, Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2-1 victory, and Chiefs comfortably beat Black Aces
4-0.
Pirates assistant coach, Eric Tinkler said they would approach their games with the fans’ expectations in mind, “It’s important for us to get that away goal,” he said, adding that they were working hard on their finishing after missing numerous goals in the victory over SuperSport.
Wits captain, Sibusiso Vilakazi said they were hoping to get a positive result against Pirates in the first leg to put themselves in an advantageous position.
Chiefs captain, Itumeleng Khune said they were aware of the threats Stars could pose, “It’s going to be a tough game, but with the great start that we had, it’s going to be a morale booster ahead of the first leg.”
Stars midfielder, Patrick Malokase said the fact that they were regarded as the underdogs was an advantage for them. “Every time we come onto the scene, we surprise people and it will be good to keep on surprising people,” he said.
