Chiefs get a second bite at Celtic

Will SuperSport United be able defend their title, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns end their trophy drought or an unfancied team cause an upset? These were some of the questions raised at the launching of the third SAA Supa8 competition in Johannesburg on Monday.

Just before the draw was made to decide which teams will enjoy home ground advantage in the quarterfinal stage of the competition scheduled for the weekend of August 13 and 14, Premier Soccer League CEO Trevor Phillips urged teams to work hard to dethrone trophy holders United in their attempts to cash in on the R1,3-million winners' cheque.

At the same time, Phillips urged United captain Ricardo Katza to do all he can to lead his team to their second successive title in a contest that looks likely to be tightly contested if the quality of teams like Sundowns, Pirates, Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows are anything to go by.

“This competition is important because it gives the league a more competitive edge and we are hoping that the participating teams will give the fans early season thrillers,” he said.

Afterwards, Katza, who captained Bafana Bafana at the recent Gold Cup tournament in the USA, said they would keep the trophy in their cabinet at Oak Street in Randburg.

“Last season, we had a fantastic run in cup competitions and hopefully it will be the same again this time,” Katza said, adding optimistically that they would again be cup specialists this season while also going for the league title.

The outcome of the draw was that the quarterfinal matches will all be played in Gauteng with Kaizer Chiefs drawn at home to Celtic in a repeat of their Telkom Charity Cup semifinal, Pirates hosting Silver Stars, Sundowns hosting Ajax Cape Town and Swallows entertaining SuperSport United.

Chiefs lost 2-1 to Celtic at the weekend and visiting coach Paul Dolezar will relish another chance to have a go at his former employees.

The other potentially explosive game pits Sundowns, who will be competing for the first time in this competition, against Ajax Cape Town. The two teams have always produced good soccer whenever they meet.

Pirates must overcome unpredictable Silver Stars while Pitso Mosimane's United have a tough fixture against Swallows, who are always difficult to beat at home.

Phillips also revealed that the semifinals will be played at night and be broadcast live on SABC.

The draw (home teams first): Chiefs vs Celtic, Pirates vs Stars, Sundowns vs Ajax, Swallows vs United.