MTN8 Semi-Finals, Interesting Clashes

MTN 8 is the only cup competition in the country that has two-legs tie when it reaches the semifinals for the clubs to fight for a place in the final. Let’s look at some of those last four ties that have left fans praying for more entertainment.

Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates( 2011)

Orlando Pirates entered the competition as the defending champions after defeating Moroka Swallows in the previous campaign. The odds were in favor of them since they were coming from a season of scooping a treble of trophies. Both clubs met for the first leg at Orlando Stadium. Thulasizwe Mbuyane opened the scoring for the home side before Katlego Mphela and Musa Nyatama scored in quick succession to give the visitors a lead going to half-time.

Then Tlou Segolela drew game level earlier in the second stanza before Bongani Ndulula converted from a penalty spot to give the Buccaneers 3-2 lead going to the second leg. In the return match in Pretoria, Elias Pelembe scored to make it 3-3 before Oupa Manyisa produced a moment of brilliance with a well taken shot to beat Wayne Sandilands to give the Buccaneers a passage to the final. Pirates went on to meet arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs which they managed to beat 1-0 thanks to Manyisa with a screamer.

Kaizer Chiefs v Ajax Cape Town( 2009)

A lot of things will make football fans remember this MTN semifinal tie from Kaizer Chiefs having a goalkeeping crisis which forced them to play unknown Kabelo Metsimetsi , Franklin Cale’s long-range ability strike, and Jose Torrealba’s well-taken goal. Let’s rewind on how the match unfolded. Chiefs were the favorite heading to the clash as they entered as the defending champions. With the first leg played at Newlands Stadium, Dipsey Selolwane’s perfect spot kick was enough to hand Ajax an advantage.

But the second leg proved to be pulsating for the football fanatics and provided goals galore. Brett Evans gave visitors in a full-packed Orlando Stadium a lead through an error from Metsimetsi who was a third-choice goalkeeper. But Torrealba leveled the game with a calm and composed finish to beat an incoming goalkeeper with a chip. Josta Dladla sent Amakhosi into a lead for the first time in the tie before Evans equalized through a penalty.

The match went to half-time 2-2 as it lived to entertaining tag. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored late for Chiefs to provide a tense finish. But Cale scored a belter of a goal to make it 3-3, in what is still a record scoring last-four tie in the tournament history. Ajax met Golden Arrows in the finals and suffered a 6-0 heavy defeat.

Cape Town City vs Bidvest Wits( 2017)

This match created much-needed attention before it was played. It was the first time Gavin Hunt was set to go on a titanic battle with Benni McCarthy. With most labeling the clash as of the teacher-student,City were afforded an opportunity to play host in the first outing at Cape Town Stadium. Citizens emerged victorious thanks to the Ayanda Patosi strike.

With the second leg scheduled a week later, Bidvest Wits needed to fight tooth and nail to increase their chances of holding the cup they won in the previous season. Robyn Johannes was unlucky to score an own-goal to bring Students level into the game. But Amr Gamal scored on the other end with an own goal too to restore the lead for City. The game was wrapped with Lehlohonolo Majoro netting the final goal to give City a 3-1 victory.

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Kaizer Chiefs( 2015)

Whenever Kaizer Chiefs meet Bloemfontein Celtic in the cup game, it provides an electrifying moment and even this time it didn’t disappoint. With the club set to clash, there were talks that Chiefs would find it hard to come back with the victory to Celtic when playing at home. Luckily Celtic were to play a first leg in front of the well-known vibrant and energetic supporters.

The first blood was drawn by Helder Pelembe in the closing stages of the first half to make the stadium erupt due to entertainment. Despite going to the break with the lead Bernard Parker leveled matters for visitors. In the end, Chiefs earned much needed away goal going to a deciding match at FNB Stadium. The second leg was much open with both opponents attacking each other. George Lebese scored for Amakhosi to send them to the final to face Ajax Cape Town. In the final, Chiefs lost 1-0 in a match played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Supersport United ( 2018)

As the defending champions, Supersport United were on course to keep the perfect run in the competition. They met Kaizer Chiefs, known for big cup kings in the country. The first leg saw the match ending 2-2 with Bradley Gobler scoring a brace for United. Meanwhile, Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro were on the score sheet for Chiefs.

With Amakhosi hosting the return match, they were tipped to finish the job. But Gobler had different ambitions on his mind as he scored a goal to break home fans to send his side into the final. Unfortunately, United’s quest to defend the title was never fulfilled as City got the revenge by winning on penalties.