13 May 2011
South Africas Nedbank Cup (the equivalent of Englands FA Cup) enters the semifinal stage this weekend, with Soweto side Orlando Pirates the only recognised giant remaining in contention for the trophy.
The Buccaneers will host fellow top flight side Mpumalanga Black Aces who will finish bottom of the PSL and be relegated to the second tier at the end of the season at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
Pirates are the clear favourites to beat Aces on Saturday, but winger Dikgang Mabalane believes the Mpumalanga club, who were finalists in 2008 as a First Division side, will be difficult to beat.
“Right now they [Aces] are motivated. They will be a dangerous team to play against because a few of their players will obviously want to get contracts,” said Mabalane.
The match is given further intrigue by the fact that Aces have two Pirates players on loan at the club: midfielders Denis Masina and Joseph Makhanya. However, right-back Happy Jele believes it would be a mistake to focus on the pair.
“It’s not about Masina or Makhanya. It is about Aces and we need to focus on the whole team. It’s gonna be difficult because they have nothing to lose. As Pirates, we play under pressure and need to get at least another trophy,” said Jele.
On Sunday, Polokwanes World Cup venue, the Peter Mokaba Stadium, hosts a Limpopo derby between Baroka FC and Black Leopards. Baroka, a third tier team who look likely to rise into the First Division, have been the giant killers of the tournament, eliminating Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs in the last 16 and quarterfinals respectively.
They are led by manager Sello Chokoe, a charismatic 28-year-old who has gained as much attention for his Michael Jackson-esque wearing of one glove (supposedly used to wipe away perspiration) as he has for his coaching abilities.
Chokoe, after his team shocked Chiefs last month, boldly claimed that Baroka would win the Nedbank Cup and his confidence has certainly not been eroded in the build-up to the semifinal against Leopards. He plans to give away his famous glove to a fan if Baroka win on Sunday.
“I’m hoping to donate the glove to a lucky supporter after the match against Leopards,” Chokoe said. “I’m hoping to get a new pair for the final, I’m already in discussion with a sponsor.”
MTN-sponsored Leopards will be looking to become the third First Division side in the past four seasons to make it to the final, following in the footsteps of Aces (2008) and University of Pretoria (2009). Regardless of the results, the final, set for 28 May at Nelspruits Mbombela Stadium, will be contested between a PSL club and a team from a lower division.
Nedbank Cup semifinals:
Saturday, 14 May
Orlando Pirates v Mpumalanga Black Aces
Sunday, 15 May
Baroka FC v Black Leopards
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