Pirates not at MTN8 gathering

ORLANDO Pirates were conspicuous by their absence when the Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced the logistics of this year’s edition of the MTN8 competition yesterday.

Pirates finished outside the top eight for the first time in the PSL era in May and their name was missing when the dates‚ times and venues of this year’s season-opening tournament were announced.

PSL and MTN8 champions Bidvest Wits will get the ball rolling when they face Lamontville Golden Arrows in the first quarterfinal match at the Bidvest Stadium on August 11.

Wits won the trophy after their emphatic 3-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Mbombela Stadium last year.

This was the first time coach Gavin Hunt’s Clever Boys had won the trophy.

Two quarterfinal fixtures are scheduled for August 12 and Benni McCarthy’s Cape Town City‚ who reached the semis last year‚ will take on MTN8 newcomers Polokwane City at the Cape Town Stadium.

In the other game on the day‚ Kaizer Chiefs will host SuperSport United at the Moses Mabhida in Durban.

One fixture is scheduled for August 13 and Sundowns will entertain Maritzburg United.

Ticket prices will vary from R40 to R60. Friday, August 11 BidVest Wits vs Golden Arrows at BidVest Stadium (8pm) Saturday, August 12 Cape Town City vs Polokwane City at Cape Town Stadium (3pm) Kaizer Chiefs vs Supersport United at Moses Mabhida Stadium (8:15pm) Sunday, August 13 Mamelodi Sundowns vs Maritzburg United at Lucas Moripe Stadium (3pm)