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MTN8 Quarter-Finals Preview

MTN8 Preview

A new era of South African football is upon us as we enter these unprecedented times with so many changes from the last season. For starters, Mamelodi Sundowns kick-start their season without Pitso Mosimane, who departed to join Egyptian giants, Al Ahly, while Gavin Hunt begins his reign as Kaizer Chiefs coach.

With the sale of Bidvest Wits, we also get to witness Tshakhuma, not only in the top flight, but in the MTN8 as well. There’s so much to look forward to with this upcoming campaign looking like it could bring even more surprises to our attention. But first, the quarter-finals of the MTN8 get underway with some mouth-watering match-ups lined up. 

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Saturday 17 October

Tshakhuma TM 3/1
Draw 22/10
SuperSport United 9/10 
This is supposed to be the most exciting time in Tshakhuma’s history, instead, there is so much uncertainty with the club still without a coach going into the first week of a new season. Their plans to hire Owen Da Gama failed with Norman Mapeza also failing to reach an agreement to join the Limpopo-based side. SuperSport United will be licking their lips here, with Matsatsantsa strong favourites to cruise their way into the semi-finals. SuperSport United are the current holders of the competition but have been weakened with the departure of Aubrey Modiba to Mamelodi Sundowns. Still, the Pretoria-based side come into this tie with the know-how in this cup and are much better prepared. Back the visitors here.

Orlando Pirates 11/10
Draw 9/4
Cape Town City 9/4 
The season looks promising for Orlando Pirates with two of their biggest rivals losing their head coach, while Josef Zinnbauer has the joy in continuing the process he started last campaign. Since Zinnbauer was appointed as Pirates head coach, no team in the country has picked up more points than the Buccaneers. They’ve also added Thulani Hlatshwayo, Collins Makgaka, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Deon Hotto and Wayde Jooste, while their business hasn’t stopped there with Ghanaian shot-stopper, Richard Ofori, expected to make the move to Pirates. Cape Town City have been dealt with a massive hit, losing Kermit Erasmus to Mamelodi Sundowns, although they have re-signed Aubrey Ngoma and added highly-rated left-back, Terrence Mashego, from TS Galaxy. Cape Town City have the know-how in the competition as well, but Pirates have convinced me with some of their signings. I’m backing Zinnbauer’s men to come out on top at the Orlando Stadium.

Sunday 18 October

Kaizer Chiefs 6/10
Draw 5/2
Maritzburg United 9/2 
Gavin Hunt’s tenure at Kaizer Chiefs begins at FNB Stadium in the quarter-finals of the MTN8 against Maritzburg United. It remains to be seen what we can expect from a Hunt-coached Chiefs side, although, judging how the 56-year-old has managed some of his previous teams, we should see a well-drilled, discipline Amakhosi side. Because of Chiefs’ transfer ban, Hunt hasn’t been able to add his preferred personnel at the club just yet, so his team selection will be interesting to see considering most players will be given a fresh start under his tutelage. Maritzburg United won their last game against Chiefs at FNB Stadium, ousting the Glamour Boys 2-1 in their own backyard. The Team of Choice have also announced Jose Ali Meza, adding much-needed quality in attack to the side that finished seventh last season. Still, I’m backing Hunt to make his mark with a victory in game one for Chiefs.
Sundowns 6/10
Draw 5/2
Bloemfontein Celtic 9/2 
In a repeat of last season’s Nedbank Cup final, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic lock horns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. Masandawana will surely miss Pitso Mosimane’s presence in and around the club, but the show must go on, with Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena steering the ship as joint-head coaches, while seasoned-veteran, Steve Komphela, will serve as their assistant. Make of their roles what you will, but the mandate is clear: keep Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the food chain in Mzansi. The Chloorkop-based side have announced plenty of new additions to their squad, most notably Kermit Erasmus, Aubrey Modiba and Peter Shalulile, who, in my opinion, improve the squad massively. Bloemfontein Celtic went on an incredible unbeaten run in the league under John Maduka in the bio-bubble, claiming a spot in the top eight on the final day of the season. Siwelele played some of the most attractive football in the division and will definitely give Sundowns a run for their money this Sunday. Perhaps this tie could end in a draw in 90 minutes.
QUAD TIPPED @ 21/1
SuperSport United Win 9/10
Orlando Pirates Win 11/10
Kaizer Chiefs Win 6/10
Sundowns vs Celtic Draw 5/2

Jesse Nagel

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