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Pitso Mosimane

The MTN8 knockout competition got under way over the weekend and threw up some surprise results as the traditional “big guns” bit the bullet while there was a peculiar drama in Tshwane.

The shock result, if there is anything like that these days, was arguably provided in Cape Town. A team that was hurriedly put together over the pre-season, Cape Town City, showed they were not in the league to just add the numbers. Theirs was the big catch of the round in the form of Kaizer Chiefs at Cape Town Stadium — a sixth-minute goal from Matthew Sim booted the Glamour Boys out of the tournament.

The clash between Platinum Stars and Chippa United could have gone either way but this match-up will be remembered for the exciting display of football dished out by Chippa, the eventual winners.

In the third quarter-final, Orlando Pirates got a head start with an early penalty from Oupa Manyisa in the 15th minute but goalkeeper Felipe Ovono undid all that work with his “butter hands”. Goals from Buhle Mkhwanazi and Thulani Hlatshwayo were enough to halt the Pirates ship.

The game of the weekend — Sundowns against SuperSport United had all the makings of a classic. Even before the match started there was an indication that this would be a thriller.

The two teams had warred over who should occupy which change rooms, bench and from which side of the field to warm up.

Ultimately Sundowns won the battle convincingly on the field as they handed their neighbours a 3-1 spanking.

League champions Mamelodi Sundowns were drawn against Chippa United while Bidvest Wits will face newcomers Cape Town City in the semi-finals of the MTN8.

The draw took place after the Sundowns and SuperSport United match at loftus Stadium where the Brazilians ran out 3-1 victors.

The semi-finals will be played over two legs with the teams playing home and away.

Wits, who will host the first leg, reached the last four after defeating Orlando Pirates 2-1 on Saturday while City edged Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 on Friday.

Sundowns’ opponents Chippa, dispatched Platinum Stars 2-0 in their quarter-finals match on Saturday afternoon. The Chilli Boys will welcome the Brazilians in the first clash.

The MTN8 trophy remains the only trophy that coach Pitso Mosimane is yet to win with Sundowns. — supersport.com