The Nedbank Cup semi-final could serve up a blockbuster between Kaizer Ciefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, if the latter beats Sekhukhune United.
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The sponsors of the Nedbank Cup will be quietly pleased with the outcome of the semi-final draw because it throws up the possibility of the Premiership's top dogs reaching the championship round.
The good news is South African football's traditional 'Big Three' – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns or Sekhukhune United, will possibly compete in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. The remaining semi-finalist is Marumo Gallants, who have drawn a home fixture against Pirates.
Gallants have been something of an enigma this season. They have been hovering above the Betway Premiership's relegation zone for a while, but a few days ago, they defeated Pirates 2-0 at the Free State Stadium, dealing a significant blow to Pirates' Premiership title hopes.
The match was sold out 24 hours before kick-off, but their upcoming semi-final at Pirates is unlikely to raise the house-full signs. Gallants enjoy massive support from the football-mad former Bloemfontein Celtic fans, who seemingly can't get enough of matches."
Gallants are unlikely to attract support in Orlando, although 'The Ghost', will turn up in their numbers to savour revenge for the 2-0 Premiership defeat.
The form book points to a Pirates victory, and with it comes a slot in the championship round. That is massive in the context that Pirates is, on paper at least, South Africa's second-strongest team. This is reflected by the current log and the past two seasons when Pirates were runners-up to Sundowns.
Of great interest to the sponsors will be the news that the latest research by Brand Finance Africa shows that Pirates, followed by Chiefs, are the strongest football brands in the country. This, however, does not translate to Pirates attracting more spectators than Chiefs at PSL matches. Chiefs are still the undisputed champion drawcards of South African football.
In the other half of the draw, the teams have yet to be decided after the 'double booking' debacle at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. The Sundowns vs Sekhukhune game had to be postponed, and the booking fiasco has raised serious concerns about event coordination and stadium management in South African football.
The winners of that quarter-final clash will play Kaizer Chiefs, who controversially defeated Stellenbosch in front of a near full-house Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
A Sundowns vs Chiefs wherever it is played will be a sold-out event. Should this fixture materialise, it will be the fourth time these sides meet this season, and Sundowns have a 3-0 head-to-head record.
Chiefs' long-suffering fans are a special brand, and even though their club is trophyless after a decade, they remain the most passionate in Africa. They continue to turn up in numbers anywhere around the country.
It is possible that Sekhukhune can cause a major upset by defeating Sundowns. Sekhukhune will have a new coach in Cape Town City discard Eric Tinkler by the time the match takes place. There is something about new coaches in PSL circles, and a few recent cases spring to mind.
Remember Mushin Ertrugal taking over Cape Town City a few weeks ago?
He started by defeating Chiefs and Pirates in four days and lost several games afterwards.
Gallants' French Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou defeated Pirates in his first match as head coach 10 days ago.
After Sunday's semi-final draw, he warned: “We (Gallants) will try to make a surprise again".