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Fungai Muderere
ZIMBABWEAN magnificent seven are set to feature in the lucrative Absa Premiership Telkom Knockout semi-finals in South Africa following the qualification of highflying Kaizer Chiefs, Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United.
Chiefs, who will be hoping to go all the way and clinch a record-extending 14th Telkom Knockout Cup title this year, are home to Zimbabwe’s midfield talisman Khama Billiat and gritty Willard Katsande.
Former Highlanders player Knox Mutizwa turns out for Arrows together with ex-Chicken Inn duo of Devine Lunga and Danny “Deco” Phiri.
Speedy Gabriel Nyoni and Clive Augusto, who interestingly, with 14 goals under his belt is set to bag the local Premiership Top Goal Scorer award, are in the books of Maritzburg United.
The cup’s last eight action was concluded last Sunday and the quarter-finals did provide some entertainment as three games went all the way to penalty shoot-outs, with Maritzburg United defeating Highlands Park while Chiefs overcame Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates through a penalty lottery.
The third penalty shoot-out saw Sundowns overcome Chippa United to advance to the last eight.
Golden Arrows also put their name in the hat on Saturday night with a 1-0 triumph over MTN8 champions SuperSport United.
Arrows’ reward for beating SuperSport will see them host another Tshwane outfit in Sundowns, while Chiefs will play host to Eric Tinkler’s Maritzburg.
The fixtures will be played on 22 and 23 November.
Elvis Chipezeze’s Baroka FC are the reigning champions of the cup competition which last year was sponsored to the tune of R14,2 million in prize money.
The money was awarded to 16 participants of the competition with the winner walking away with R4 million.
Orlando Pirates who were the losing finalists took home R1,5 million.
Pirates and Baroka booked their places in Saturday’s showpiece by beating Kaizer Chiefs and last year’s winners, Bidvest Wits, respectively.
The two losing semi-finalists, Chiefs and Bidvest Wits, pocketed R750 000.
Online Reporter