Written by The Caretaker Coach for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Kaizer Chiefs vs Jomo Cosmos | Sunday 06 September | Makhulong Stadium | 15:00
The final showdown of the Diski Challenge carnival weekend sees newly promoted Cosmos take on the mighty AmaKhosi in the eighth game of the weekend being played on the same field.
The turf will surely be a bit cut up, a challenge the groundsmen will need to overcome to ensure free flowing football. As with the other big sides, Chiefs will be devoid of all international players leaving the second stringers to fight it out for game time.
To Win (90mins)
Kaizer Chiefs
Draw
Jomo Cosmos
Kaizer Chiefs
Steve Komphela is still very much under the microscope of Kaizer Chiefs management and supporters, after another disappointing draw in the league last time out. Despite remaining unbeaten and having an MTN8 final coming up, coach Komphela will have discovered what a tough crowd the Chiefs’ backers are to win over. I don’t think the lack of impotence in a tournament like this has will deter Komphela from putting out his best side from the remaining squad he has left, in the effort to settle in at Naturena. No doubt everyone not supporting Cosmos or the stubborn Buccaneers faithful will be behind the PSL champs for the ninety minutes of action, which could give them the added boost their need to fill the void of a thin eligible squad.
Jomo Cosmos
The newly promoted but ever present Cosmos turn out in their first cup competition since returning to the PSL. Cosmos have gone on to draw all three of their opening league fixtures, most remarkably without scoring or conceding a single goal. Lacklustre at best, the thrill of a new tournament for the side to get involved in could be the kickstart they need. Running into Chiefs in their first fixture is unfortunate, but the Carpe Diem attitudes that a lot of the mid to lower league sides adopt in this types of fixture are often too much for the bigger sides to deal with. Even another stalemate will do Cosmos good, they just have to hope Chiefs turn up in disarray without their international regulars.
VERDICT: Kaizer Chiefs
I think the current situation that Komphela finds himself in will be the biggest influencing factor here. Had Chiefs been flying high under his new leadership, I think they may have been an easy fish to fry in these circumstances, but with a lot to prove, expect a strong performance from them. Cosmos will struggle to compete in these circumstances and I’d be surprised if they managed to maintain their unbeaten status on Sunday afternoon. A Chiefs win for me.
