Chiefs chase last-four spot

FIXTURES: Amakhosi face Siwelele in Sunday’s Carling Knockout quarter-finals, while Stellenbosch host AmaZulu…

By  WSAM Sports Reporter

Kaizer Chiefs will look to turn cup promise into a semifinal place when they face Siwelele at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.

The encounter headlines Sunday’s domestic knockout programme, with Stellenbosch hosting AmaZulu at the Danie Craven Stadium in the other quarter-final. Both matches kick off at 18h00, following the rescheduling of Chiefs’ game from its original afternoon slot.

Amakhosi enter the contest with an opportunity to build on their emphatic performance in the previous round, when Wandile Duba’s hat-trick powered them to a 3–0 victory over TS Galaxy.

That display provided an illustration of the attacking threat Chiefs can carry when their chances are converted. Against Siwelele, they will need another decisive performance to keep their pursuit of silverware moving. Their opponents reached the quarter-finals by eliminating Polokwane City in a penalty shootout.

Chiefs are seeking their 23rd semifinal appearance in the competition and a step towards a 14th title. Their September league meeting with Siwelele ended in a 3–2 victory for Amakhosi — a result that offers encouragement, but also a reminder of the danger posed by Sunday’s opponents.

This will be the clubs’ first cup encounter. Across their three previous league meetings, each has recorded one victory, with the other match ending goalless.

For Chiefs, the challenge will be to reproduce the finishing that overwhelmed Galaxy while tightening up sufficiently to avoid another closely contested encounter with Siwelele.

In Stellenbosch, Gavin Hunt’s side will seek a response to their recent disappointment against Chippa United when they welcome an AmaZulu team the coach has praised for its form and continuity.

Stellies advanced by beating Durban City in the opening round, but Hunt believes his team still needs to find its rhythm.

“We want to make our supporters happy,” he said ahead of the quarter-final.

Home advantage provides an opportunity to do so, although AmaZulu’s settled combinations present a demanding test for a Stellenbosch side seeking greater consistency.

Hunt could have additional options following the return to training of Tlakusani Mthethwa and Lateef Kazeem, although their readiness to play remained uncertain. Mosa Lebusa and Genino Palace will miss the match, while Surprise Nhlabathi continues his recovery from a long-term injury.

Earlier in the afternoon, attention turns to Loftus Versfeld, where Mamelodi Sundowns face Algeria’s USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup at 15h00.

It sets up a Sunday of contrasting ambitions: Sundowns have a continental trophy within reach, while Chiefs, Siwelele, Stellenbosch and AmaZulu battle to move one step closer to a domestic final.

Sunday’s fixtures — all times South African

Match                                                                      Competition                     Venue                                Kick-off

Mamelodi Sundowns vs USM Alger                 CAF Super Cup                 Loftus Versfeld               15h00

Kaizer Chiefs vs Siwelele                                    Carling Knockout             New Peter

                                                                                  quarter-final                     Mokaba Stadium             18h00

Stellenbosch vs AmaZulu                                   Carling Knockout             Danie Craven                  

                                                                                          quarter-final             Stadium                     18h00