The dates, venues and times for the MTN8 semi-finals' first and second legs have been confirmed.
Bidvest Wits, Platinum Stars, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have booked their spots into the second-last hurdle before the crowning glory, after an intense quarterfinal stage.
On Monday at the draw, it was revealed that the Clever Boys would be taking on Bucs in the replica of last season's Nedbank Cup final, while Stuart Baxter's Amakhosi are up against defending champions Dikwena.
In the first leg games, Stars face Chiefs on August 16 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium at 20h15, while Wits do battle with Bucs on August 17 at Bidvest Stadium at 15h00. The second leg games are just a week later, with Pirates playing Wits on August 23 at Orlando Stadium at 20h15, while FNB Stadium will be the battle ground for Chiefs and Allan Freese's charges on August 24 at 15h00.
Naturally, many in the local football fraternity are hoping for a Soweto derby final, but cup competitions are David v Goliath affairs that offer an opportunity for so-called smaller teams to pull up surprises.
Stars will be keen to defend their trophy to prove that last's seasons feats were no fluke, while Chiefs will want to start the season on a good note, after a trophy-less 2013/14 campaign. Wits, under cup specialist Gavin Hunt, are out for revenge against Pirates, who seem fired up under Vladimir Vermezovic.
MTN8 semi- finals first leg:
Platinum Stars v Kaizer Chiefs – Royal Bafokeng – 16 August – 20h15
Bidvest Wits v Orlando Pirates – Bidvest Stadium – 17 August – 15h00
MTN8 semi-final second leg:
Orlando Pirates v Bidvest Wits – Orlando Stadium – 23 August – 20h15
Kaizer Chiefs v Platinum Stars – FNB Stadium – 24 August – 15h00
