The second of the first leg MTN8 semi-finals sees current holders SuperSport United take on Bloemfontein Celtic at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
The top-eight tournament represents both sides’ best chance at silverware this season and we should be in for an exciting contest.
MTN8 Semi-Final
Sunday 1 November – 15:00
Lucas Moripe Stadium
To Win Match
SuperSport United 27/20 | Draw 2/1 | Bloem Celtic 21/10
SuperSport United
SuperSport United will be aiming to lift the MTN8 trophy for a record third time this season while Kaitano Tembo targets his second as head coach. Standing in their way of adding to their trophy cabinet is a fearless Bloemfontein Celtic side.
Matsatsantsa, who have enjoyed more success in the top-eight tournament over the last three campaigns than any other team, have drawn three of their last four meetings against Celtic, winning just once – a 2-1 victory in January last year thanks to goals from Bradley Grobler and Teboho Mokoena.
Aubrey Modiba assisted both of those goals and with the Limpopo-born star now with Mamelodi Sundowns, creativity will have to come from the likes of Ghampani Lungu and Iqraam Rayners, who recently joined from Stellenbosch FC. Both were on the scoresheet along with Grobler in the 3-2 quarter-final win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
Grobler has started the season brightly, scoring three goals in his first two appearances. His brace against Black Leopards in the DStv Premiership last weekend ensured a 2-0 victory for the Tshwane-based outfit.
The 32-year-old will be looking to continue his excellent form for Matsatsantsa as they look to take an advantage in the first leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Bloemfontein Celtic
Competing in the MTN8 for the second successive season, Bloemfontein Celtic will be hoping third time’s a charm as they seek to win their first trophy since the 2012/13 campaign when they lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup under then-manager Clinton Larsen.
Phunya Sele Sele, who came agonizingly close to Nedbank Cup glory last season, will fancy their chances against Matsatsantsa this weekend, especially after dumping Mamelodi Sundowns out of the MTN8 earlier this month thanks to Victor Letsoalo’s sole strike.
The former Baroka striker was also on target for Celtic in their DStv Premiership opener in Bloemfontein last weekend where they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows. Both Ndumiso Mabena and Lantshene Phalane missed the tie but should be available to face Tembo’s side.
John Maduka has lost just once in 11 games since taking charge of Siwelele, which shows how tough his team are to beat, and after eliminating the reigning league champions, Celtic will head into the semi-final confident of upsetting the cup holders and going on to lift the MTN8 trophy.
The Bloemfontein-based side stunned SuperSport United 1-0 in 2005 to win their first-ever MTN8 title – back when it was known as the SAA Supa 8.
Verdict: Draw (2/1)
Games between these two are generally tight affairs and I think it will be another tight encounter on Sunday hence I’m backing a share of the spoils.
Written by Chad Nagel for Hollywoodbets.
