They don't come more unique than the Carling Knockout. It's a very innovative cup competition, serving as a replacement for the Telkom Knockout, giving the power to the fans by having them vote for the Man of the Match, who walks away with a whopping R100 000. The big guns have all fallen by the wayside, and a so-called smaller side will claim the honours come 16th December, with the final set for Moses Mabhida Stadium. Will it be an all-KZN final? Or will Stellenbosch FC reach their first final after coming so close in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 recently? Or will TS Galaxy match the heights of 2019, where they reached the Nedbank Cup final, famously defeating Kaizer Chiefs? All said and done, the semifinals of the so-called 'beer cup' is here, and it's time to grab one for the road to the final as Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane previews this weekend's clashes.
Richards Bay FC v Stellenbosch FC
2 December, King Zwelithini Stadium, 15h00
Richards Bay host Stellenbosch FC in what will no doubt be an interesting game for two sides looking to hold onto respective records, as coaches Kaitano Tembo and Steve Barker face off. The home side has played all their Carling Knockout matches thus far at home, knocking out two Soweto clubs in Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates. They've got a home record to protect. Stellies, meanwhile, have played all their matches in this competition away from home, booting out Chippa United and Polokwane City. They are the joint top scorers in the competition with AmaZulu, so they will no doubt be looking to unsettle the home side's defence having just thrashed rivals Cape Town Spurs 3-0 in the league.
Richards Bay Can Take Advantage…
Cheslyn Jampies – Former Richards Bay defender
On the KZN side's current form
Richards Bay has grown. I've had the opportunity to represent them, and they are growing. You can see the football they are playing is results-oriented football and I feel that has worked for them recently. When you have the ability to knock teams like (Orlando) Pirates out of the competition, then you must be doing something right because I can tell you for free that you don't just walk over teams like Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns or Kaizer Chiefs. These are well-oiled teams, and they have players who are focused and hard-working, so if you have an ability to come away with victories over teams like that in this competition, then you definitely know that you are on the right track.
On how much Tembo needs a win
I am happy that Richards Bay has stuck with coach Kaitano until this far because we are all in agreement that the team has improved. You can see that they are actually playing for results now. A lot of the young boys have matured so well into good professional athletes and I feel that coach Kaitano can go all the way if things go the way they have been going. If they carry on this way, I don't see any reason why they can't go all the way. I do believe that he has the capacity in the team to do this. When he was at Sekhukhune (United), it was a little bit up and down, but he got to Richards Bay and it's clear what impact he has brought to the team.
On how Natal Rich Boyz must approach the game
The first thing they need to do is do their homework correctly. If they do their homework correctly, they will know that Stellenbosch is a counter-attacking team and they love bringing in crosses. They rely on (Iqraam) Rayners, so they need to guard against that and just take their chances and they will come away with the victory. I am not 100 percent convinced with the defence of Stellenbosch, so Richards Bay can take advantage and take their chances when they get them. Richards Bay has the potential to rotate the ball quite easily, so that's how I believe they can come away with a victory.
Prediction
I'd say 2-1 to Richards Bay. It will be an end-to-end high-tempo game, but my gut tells me there will be one mistake from each team.
Rayners will score
Diego Brown – Former Stellenbosch FC winger
On Stellenbosch's away form in this cup
Judging by how well they are doing away from home, the guys must be positive. It's always difficult going away from home, but it's been working for Stellies this season. I don't think playing away from home will be an issue for them. It's a semifinal and it's a chance for them to get to the final. On the other hand, Richards Bay have been doing well at home in this competition, so they are not going to make it easy for Stellies. But Stellies are well-coached, so they will be prepared, whether it's at home or away.
On Barker eyeing a final
Stellies were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup semi-final last season and in the MTN8 this season, and they have not won anything besides when they won promotion to the PSL (topflight). For the coach, it's time for him to reach a final and it will be great for him to win it. He reached a final with University of Pretoria in 2009 when they lost to (Moroka) Swallows, so this will be a big one to get over this hurdle and try to win the competition.
On how to break down the hosts
It's always difficult to play Richards Bay. They will be more confident because they will be playing at home. This will be their third game at home in this competition, so obviously they have gained some momentum. They knocked out Pirates, so there will be some belief that they can get to the final. But I think Stellies will believe that they can beat them. Stellenbosch likes to play on the counter, using the speed up front. They need to use that speed and attack well. They can hurt Richards Bay on transitional play. It's a tricky game. Iqraam Rayners will be important for Stellies. He has been getting his form back.
Prediction
I am going with a 1-0 win for Stellies. Iqraam Rayners will score.
AmaZulu FC v TS Galaxy
3 December, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 15h00
One of the top scoring sides in the Carling Knockout this season, Usuthu will be facing a Galaxy side that has shown a lot of resilience since the start of the competition. In both the matches the visitors have played in the Carling Knockout, they have gone all the way to penalties, booting out one of the favourites Mamelodi Sundowns in the Last 16 and then Sekhukhune United in the quarterfinals. The KZN outfit, meanwhile, were ruthless in their dispatching of rivals Golden Arrows in the quarterfinals and will be determined to reach the final to give themselves another shot at glory after losing out to Orlando Pirates for the MTN8 trophy last season.
Nurkovic Can Be Very Dangerous
Owen Da Gama – Former TS Galaxy coach
On Galaxy's mental strength in the CK
Cup games are strange games. What Galaxy succeeded in doing was beating a Sundowns team that has done so well. That was a great achievement for them, and it augurs well for this game that they are going into against AmaZulu, who lost their last game against Stellenbosch. The mental strength Galaxy have to go all the way to penalties and win comes from the confidence they've beaten Sundowns. If you can defend well against Sundowns, it shows that you are mentally strong.
On the visitors' key players
I think Pogiso Sanoka has been a revelation. I remember when we signed him from Maritzburg, he was released by Maritzburg and he played most of his career as a right back. We converted him into a central defender and he played there with Given Msimango. He's been a revelation and I don't understand why he is not in the Bafana Bafana team. Galaxy don't concede a lot of goals and he has been key to that. They held their own against Sundowns and I think Sanoka will once again come to the party against AmaZulu. He marshals that defence well and he is a true leader. They've got Samir Nurkovic and Mlungisi Mbunjana, who can be the midfielder in the country.
How they can hurt AmaZulu
They can hurt AmaZulu from their wing play. I think Galaxy are strong there. They can also hurt AmaZulu by their penetration through the midfield. Once their midfield pushes up, they are dangerous. Once Mbunjana gets into the box, it releases other players to have opportunities. They can cross the balls from wing play and Nurkovic can be very dangerous.
Prediction
I'd give it to Galaxy to win 1-0. I think they go into this game with more confidence. The fact that they have have beaten Sundowns gives them a lot of confidence. I think they feel that they can take this cup.
I've spoken to someone in the team…
Njabulo Manqana – Former AmaZulu FC winger
On the club's form
I don't think AmaZulu has been consistent. I don't know if the break affected them because when you look at the way they lost to Stellenbosch, I think they played well. I think AmaZulu are capable of winning this trophy and it will be good for the team because president Sandile Zungu wants to commercialize the team and build the brand. I just feel like they need to be more consistent. The players can definitely push to get a victory over Galaxy because at times I don't understand the football they play. They tend to play harder when they are playing against the so-called big teams like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. I've spoken to someone in the team, and they told me that the motivation is there and they are willing to push to win this tournament. I think they can get to the final.
Doing it for Bongi Ntuli
They've lost Bongi Ntuli recently and I feel that they will be playing for him. I think the players will go all out and show that they want to do this for him. He was a key player for the team and I am sure they will be going out there to get the job done for him, without putting too much emotion into the game. Most of the teams who have lost a player do that. They want to win something for the player who was part of the team and they want to do it for him. Even the bosses will say that, so I think the spirit in the team will be high. You can see that they have lost someone, but they will be doing it for Bongi.
Prediction
I think it will be 1-0 or 2-1 to AmaZulu. It will depend on how they approach the game. At times, the teams are cautious at first, so that's why I am giving two different results because maybe they will want to suss each other out first.
