Celtic or Baroka to make history
Here are some interesting statistics about the teams and coaches involved in tomorrow’s Nedbank Cup semi-finals:
*Mamelodi Sundowns and BidVest Wits have met on 80 previous occasions since the formation of the National Soccer League in 1985. A total of 11 of those have been cup games, of which Sundowns have won eight and Wits only two. There has been a single draw. Their last cup meeting was in the final of the 2016 Top Eight, where Wits ran out 3-0 winners.
*Pitso Mosimane (Sundowns) and Gavin Hunt (Wits) are by far the longest serving coaches in the South African top-flight. Mosimane has been in the job for seven years and eight months, and Hunt for seven years and two months. Next on the list is Stellenbosch FC’s Steve Barker (three years and one month). Ironically then, Celtic’s John Maduka is the shortest serving, having not yet been in his role for a month!
*Neither Baroka FC nor Bloemfontein Celtic have reached the Nedbank Cup final before, meaning one of them will make history at the Orlando Stadium on tomorrow. Baroka have been to two previous semi-finals and Celtic none.
*Baroka FC and Bloemfontein Celtic have clashed on eight previous occasions, with Celtic winning three of those to just a single victory for Baroka. There have also been four draws. Curiously, all four of those draws came in home games for Baroka, meaning there has never been a winner in Polokwane between the sides. That includes a 0-0 draw earlier this season in August, but their most recent meeting was in Bloemfontein on 1 March, when Celtic triumphed 2-1. It is a game that usually produces goals with 19 scored in the eight previous matches.