A dream final is still on the cards
DOWNS & PIRATES KEPT APART IN SEMIS
The dream Nedbank Cup final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates remains on the cards after the big guns avoided each other in the semifinals draw.
The draw was conducted on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium, venue for the final on 1 June, after the last quarterfinal between TS Galaxy and Chippa United, which was won 2-0 by the Chilli Boys. Bienvenu Eva Nga scored both goals for Chippa.
Chippa were handed a home draw against the defending champions Pirates, who beat AmaZulu 4-2 in a six-goal thriller played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
High-flying Stellenbosch FC will host Mamelodi Sundowns in the other semifinal clash at home at a venue and time that is yet to be confirmed by the Premier Soccer League.
The game between AmaZulu and Pirates was marred by controversy after the referee awarded Pirates a contentious penalty for the first goal.
The referee pointed to the spot for Taariq Fielies’ foul on Makhehleni Makhaula. Replays showed that there was minimal contact on Makhaula, but the referee’s decision stood and Patrick Maswanganyi stood up and converted the spot kick.
AmaZulu coach Pablo Franco Martin didn’t hide his displeasure with officiating after the game, describing it as a “huge scandal”.
“Do you want me to talk about football or what really decided this game? I’m asking you, football or what really decided this game? This is the problem we’re having here that the games are decided by some people who aren’t players,” said Martin.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, however, was happy with his side’s display in the game, saying the Buccaneers were the better team and they deserved their win against Usuthu.
“We played football when it was time to play football, we fought when it was time to fight. The cup games are like this, you have to play three, four different games inside 90 minutes and I think we were better in all of them,” said Riveiro.
With Sundowns showing signs of fatigue, Stellenbosch will fancy their chances of reaching the final of the Nedbank Cup. If they achieve the feat, it will be their second final this season, having reached the final of the Carling Black Label Knockout, which they won against Sekhukhune United.