Matsatsantsa and Masandawana face off in the second Tshwane derby of the season on Sunday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. The winner over two legs at this venue will surely be favourites for the title.
However, Highlands Park and Polokwane City certainly cannot be written off and they are set to play on Saturday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Highlands Park themselves pulled off a big shock in the last eight, seeing off Orlando Pirates thanks to Wayde Jooste’s winner. They head into the game in good spirits after a 2-1 midweek win over AmaZulu.
One noteworthy subplot is the potential return of Rodney Ramagalela, who is back in training after a spell of compassionate leave following the death of his daughter.
Ramagalela was a crucial striker for Polokwane City prior to being marginalised over his pre-contract agreement with the Lions of the North. If he is hungry to prove a point to his former club, who could blame him?
Winger Lindokuhle Mbatha is also back following his injury against Orlando Pirates. Expect Highlands Park to put up a good fight away from home, but Rise and Shine are backed to grind out a draw.
In what should be a humdinger of a tie, Kaitano Tembo’s men will look to avenge their 2-0 Absa Premiership loss to Sundowns.
They looked like they had the Brazilians figured out in the opening minutes of that game, but Pitso Mosimane’s team was more clinical on the day.
Matsatsantsa reacted in style, however, beating Orlando Pirates 3-0 in the league and Bidvest Wits by the same scoreline in the MTN8. After a 1-1 Absa Premiership draw with Kaizer Chiefs, they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 midweek victory away to Baroka.
However, Sundowns themselves are in form after beating AS Otôho d’Oyo (4-0 in the CAF Champions League) and Bloemfontein Celtic (2-1 in the Premiership) in their last two games.
Sundowns also beat Celtic 3-1 after coming back from behind to progress to the MTN8 semis, but are likely to face an even tougher fight in this match. Fortunately for Mosimane’s men, their depth and resilience makes them difficult to beat.
