BIDVEST Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns contest the first final of the season at Mbombela Stadium in the MTN8 today (5pm). Njabulo Ngidi looks at how the teams reached this stage.
Wits
Quarter-finals
Wits 2-1 Orlando Pirates - Bidvest Stadium (Aug 27)
Goals: Buhle Mkhwanazi and Thulani Hlatshwayo
The Clever Boys started the season in style, claiming the scalp of the Soweto giants in their first two matches. They beat Kaizer Chiefs in the league and did the same to the Buccaneers in the MTN8 quarter-finals. While goalkeeper Felipe Ovono’s conceded both goals in silly fashion, they forget Wits’ dominant display. They didn’t allow Tendai Ndoro space to make his dangerous runs while the central midfield pair of Xola Mlambo and Thabang Monare neutralised Pirates’ Oupa Manyisa.
Semi-finals
1st leg: Wits 3-0 Cape Town City - Bidvest Stadium (Sept 10)
Goals: Eleazar Rodgers, Elias Pelembe and Gabadinho Mhango.
2nd leg: City 0-0 Wits - Cape Town Stadium (Sept 17)
Wits won 3-0 on aggregate
It took Wits a blistering first half to book a place in the final. Wits went into half-time of the first leg leading 3-0. Hunt needs to end a six-year wait for a trophy.
Sundowns
Quarter-finals
Sundowns 3-1 SuperSport United - Loftus Versfeld (Aug 28)
Goals: Wayne Arendse, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Khama Billiat
The Tshwane Derby took a step closer to competing with the Soweto Derby. It’s miles ahead in terms of entertainment and goals. This year it added drama to the mix when the Brazilians fought over who will use the bench on the right. SuperSport won that fight but Sundowns won the war.
Semi-finals
1st leg: Chippa United 0-0 Sundowns - Nelson Mandela Bay (Sept 11)
2nd leg: Sundowns 1-0 Chippa - Lucas Moripe Stadium (Sept 21)
Goal: Anthony Laffor
Sundowns won 1-0 on aggregate
These two legs were a good advertisement and yet a sad indictment of South African football. There was plenty of entertainment, especially as the Chilli Boys dominated possession. But there were no goals in the first leg and it took Liberian Anthony Laffor to score in the second leg with 15 minutes to go. The difference was experience.
Saturday Star