Our football writer previews the MTN8 semifinals which take place on Saturday 26 August 2017.
Four teams have booked their spots in the MTN8 semi-finals with the first legs kicking off this weekend. Maritzburg United shockingly eliminated last season’s runners-up, Mamelodi Sundowns while the defending champions, Bidvest Wits managed a penalty shootout victory over Golden Arrows in a match that finished 2-2 with the result rapidly overshadowed by seven red cards and two penalties during regulation time. Drama and shock results surely await in the penultimate stage so let’s find out what’s in store.
Cape Town City 14/10 | Draw 21/10 | Bidvest Wits 18/10
After going toe-to-toe in the PSL opener, the Citizens once again face off against the Clever Boys in a mouth-watering encounter that will see Benni McCarthy’s charges look to get the better of the defending champions yet again, this time in a knockout tournament. McCarthy’s two-match record since he took over the coaching reins at Cape Town City remains at 100% after he recorded two 1-0 victories over Polokwane City and Bidvest Wits.
City haven’t played convincingly but they’ve always managed to get the job done. The side which only came into existence last season after buying Mpumalanga Black Aces' PSL status has faced Wits five times so far, winning twice, losing once and registering two draws. It’s very interesting to note that their only defeat at the hands of Wits was the first leg at this stage of this tournament last season.
Contrary to popular belief Wits’ campaign hasn’t kicked off with a bang. They have lost 1-0 in the league against Cape Town City and to reach this stage of the MTN8 they scraped to a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Golden Arrows after coming back from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw. Blending new signings with last season’s championship-winning side seems to be giving Gavin Hunt a selection headache as the team continues to play disjointed football and in my opinion leaving Xola Mlambo out of the team over the last two matches has been his biggest mistake.
Hunt alongside his assistant will watch from the stands once again as this will be the final game of their two match-ban for the red cards they received against Arrows. That will leave goalkeeper coach, Paul Johnstone having to dish out instructions on the sidelines.
Both teams will be very cautious in their approach to the game because the result will make the second leg interesting and I’m expecting a draw.
SuperSport Utd 19/20 | Draw 22/10 | Maritzburg United 28/10
SuperSport United players don’t seem to have adapted quickly to Eric Tinkler’s tactics as they managed a nervy 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in a nail-biting contest to reach this stage of the tournament. The team then lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league this past weekend in a match where they were totally dominated.
It is also interesting to note that they have all the tough encounters at the start of the season as they will play Chiefs in the league on Wednesday evening before this MTN8 fixture. They will have the suspended Dean Furman back for the semi-final as he will sit out the Chiefs match due to the red card he received against Sundowns.
Fadlu Davids has been given the coaching role permanently at Maritzburg United and he seems to be doing something amazing. Over his first two games, he has an immaculate record, having earned a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8, he went to Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace and beat Platinum Stars 2-0.
The addition of Siyanda Xulu has given the Team of Choice the much-needed depth defensively as he came on for the injured Dennis Wiedliech in the recent encounter and rose to the occasion. Deolin Mekoa, Lebohang Mabo and Evans Rusike form a dangerous trio upfront and will create all sorts of problems for the SuperSport defence.
I’m backing both teams to score and the match to have three goals or more.
from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://ift.tt/2iqHXFF
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