31 August 2018, by: Thathe Msimango

DO OR DIE IN MTN8 SEMI-FINALS

It’s do or die this weekend in the MTN8 semi-final second leg clashes..

Chiefs and Supersport United look to settle their stalemate at the FNB Stadium on Saturday followed by Cape Town City travelling to Sundowns hoping to force home their first leg advantage.

The #MTN8 semi-final second legs take place this weekend.
Who will book their spot in the final?#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/K7RI7JWllY

— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) August 30, 2018

Let’s take a look at what each of the four teams has to face ahead of this weekend’s games.

Few people would’ve predicted Mamelodi Sundowns to have such a torrid start this season. They crashed out of the CAF Champions League after being held goalless in a must win clash against Horoya on Tuesday night. The Pretoria based outfit were tipped amongst favourite to clinch Africa’s biggest club tournament especially after being placed in what regarded as an easy group for them.

“This is Mamelodi Sundowns, we want to win them all!” – PM#Sundowns #MTN8 pic.twitter.com/ftOzZQOxdT — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 31, 2018

They face another tough task when welcoming Cape Town City side in this much anticipated match. Amasandawana aim to regain form considering they are winless in four games in all competitions. The club is capable of producing special moments due to the depth of the quality squad they got. However, the woeful home record in the last five matches which saw them registering two wins suggest they might struggle a bit especially against strong side like City.

Cape Town City travel to Tswane with a slender one goal advantage as they hope to progress to the final for the second season in a row. The Cape Town based outfit have a decent start this season even though they have proved to be bad travellers.

Norodien Is Back! ?

Silky Skilo is back to full fitness from an injury which saw him miss our last 2 matches! #iamCityFC #WelcomeBackSkilo pic.twitter.com/n4lJJ66EZ6

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) August 30, 2018

The Citizens are hoping for history to repeat itself as they got the better of their opponents away from home last season. The match set to be blockbuster clash as Sundowns will be up for revenge and want to restore pride in front of home supporters. Can Benni McCarthy turn the tie in his favor? All those questions will be answered this weekend.

Supersport United have been slowly developing into cup specialists winning five cups over the past six years. The road to the final doesn’t seem like walk in the park as they have to do a job away to a very competitive Chiefs side.

Kaizer Chiefs v SuperSport United: Who is in a better position to advance in the MTN8? https://t.co/wJAltvOGIb pic.twitter.com/ESGvXvGUf0 — Goal South Africa (@GoalcomSA) August 30, 2018

The holders are on quest to join Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to become a third team to successfully defend the MTN8 Cup since it started in 1972. Kaitano Tembo’s team might be in building phase but they unbeaten in the last five matches winning four and drawing once.

New coach, new season, new signing but same results. Amakhosi seem to ride on bad patch which has stretched for more than three years without any silverware. The club with rich history in South African football is slowly losing killer instinct.

MTN8 Media Open Day

“Two assists in five games is not normal. Maybe if I had four assists in five games, I would be happy but it is going to improve.”

“We are not going to defend. We are going to go all out.” – Ntshangase
#HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life #MTN8 pic.twitter.com/QwYTHDk2Rw

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) August 30, 2018

Chiefs have now gone their opening five Absa Premiership games without a win for the first time since 2006/07. They last reached a cup final three years ago when losing to Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 Cup. Fans are demanding results but the club is failing to live up to the expectations. Will this be a turning point?

Pitso Mosimane’s boys will look to follow the footsteps of Orlando Pirates by clinching a league win and then the MTN8 Cup the following season.

“It’s obvious, I am jealous when I see them combining well and scoring goals. I’m a human being, so why not,” said Pitso Mosimane on Khama Billiat & Castro.#absaprem #MTN8 pic.twitter.com/xJTKgAqXD3

— BET.co.za (@betcoza) August 31, 2018

They would be only the second team to do this since the tournament was rebranded in 2008. No league champions have won MTN8 Cup the following season since Pirates achieved that feat in 2011.

A City – United final replay in potentially on the cards for the first time since MTN came as a sponsor in 2008. No teams have met in consecutive finals in the last 10 years.

Sundowns will be expected to come out firing especially with home advantage. I tip them to win 2-0.

Chiefs might have not been at their best so far but they seem hungry. They have been let down by a leaky defence this season but I see them winning 1-0 to qualify for first final in three years.

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