The clock is ticking with Mzansi waiting for the much talked about match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates this Saturday.
The two giants of South African football will clash in the eagerly awaited Nedbank Cup semi-final clash at FNB Stadium.
Different views and predictions have come through from many in the fraternity, and this time former Pirates striker James Mothibi tells Soccer Laduma readers who he thinks will emerge as victors between the two sides.
The Good
"Pirates is going to the final. I know that Arthur Zwane has had a good record against Pirates since he took over as the Chiefs coach. The game is going to be very tough but any mistake that Chiefs make, Pirates is going to capitalise and Pirates will be going to the final. I am saying this knowing that Pirates is going to the game as the underdogs, but eventually they will win the game. I played for Pirates and I know that when they are this close to winning a trophy, they can be unstoppable. Pirates win the game on set-pieces and their midfielders will dominate. The game will end 1-1 at 90 minutes and Pirates will win 1-0 in extra time," said Mothibi.
The Bad
"I think Arthur Zwane is doing a great job as the coach of Chiefs but I don't think people appreciate him and his work as much as they should. People are putting him under so much pressure and my concern is that it might go down to the players. I don't thin Arthur is getting enough credit for the fantastic job that he is doing with Chiefs' young boys," he said.
The Ugly
Chiefs' celebration after the Nedbank Cup semi-final draw
"I don't thin there is a problem when a club is celebrating after who their opponents will be. I am saying this because I know that it is easier to play against opponents at the same level as your team. For big clubs, it is very difficult to play against small clubs. Small teams have nothing to lose, which is why they can surprise you. Honestly speaking, I do not see Pirates losing against Chiefs this time around. Also, to the supporters, I know that some of them come from places as far as Kuruman, Kimberly and Warrenton, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and so on, I would like to encourage the, to drive as early as possible to avoid the disappointment of being late to the game. I would like to see the supporters arriving at the stadium as early as 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 to avoid issues to do with the matche being delayed. The PSL should reconsider bringing back legends to play curtain raisers at the games such as the Soweto derby. In doing so, they would be encouraging the supporters to come as early as possible at the stadium. When that used to happen in the past, the supporters would rush to the stadium to watch the legends. Ever since that stopped, that's why we have witnessed stampede at times at the match views," Mothibi said.
Apologies To Mama Joy
"Lastly, to Mama Joy, we don't really know what happened there when she was denied access at the Orlando Stadium when Pirates played against Royal AM. I know that there are different gates in that stadium and if someone is denying you access in one gate, you could get another entry point unless it was a different story. But I am sorry for what happened to her because it is not good for football. I wish her well as I understand that she must be emotional right now," concluded Mothibi.
Could Pirates Surprise Chiefs?
