adminAaron Dube in Johannesburg, South Africa
IT IS a tough weekend as four Absa Premier Soccer League teams will lock horns today in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal Provinces.The four teams are Kaizer Chiefs who are the defending champions, Bidvest Wits, Maritzburg United and African Champions League finalists Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs will take to the field at Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg without their reliable striker, the smiling assassin Knowledge Musona who has a mysterious ankle injury.
He suffered the injury during the Caf Champions League game against AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo two months ago in Johannesburg.
Chiefs’ coach Stuart Baxter said: “Musona’s injury is unfortunate and a big blow to the team who are defending the PSL Cup and they have to soldier on with the arsenal that is available.”
Other Zimbabwean players Chiefs will rely on are strikers Kingstone Nkhatha, Matthew Rusike and midfield maestro Willard “Salt and Vinegar” Katsande.
Chiefs have to fire from all cylinders if they want to outplay stubborn Wits and please their ever-demanding supporters.
Chiefs are mathematically out of the championship race if ever Sundowns collect three points from their remaining two games.
Amakhosi will have to watch out their own former player S’thembiso Ngcobo who has proved to be a thorn in the flesh.
Other Zimbabweans at Wits are former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari, Onismor Bhasera, Denver Mukamba, Thomas Sweswe and Tinashe Nengomasha.
Pirates travel to KZN to battle it out with Terrence Mandaza’s Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium this evening.
United commercial manager Younus Kadodia told Chronicle Sport: “Mandaza is available for the crucial game against the Soweto giants and believe me the Zimbabwean has improved a lot since he joined us a few seasons ago from Platinum Stars.
“Definitely his availability will cause havoc in the Pirates defence but we have a strong squad including our evergreen Michael Morton who can make things happen for the team.”
Fixtures
Kaizer Chiefs v Bidvest Wits, Maritzburg United v Orlando Pirates
Online Reporter