JOHANNESBURG – The four remaining sides in the Nedbank Cup face just one more hurdle before reaching the final scheduled for Cape Town Stadium on May 19.
Free State Stars will travel to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to face Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday (start at 8.15pm).
Meanwhile Maritzburg United will host Mamelodi Sundowns at their Harry Gwala Stadium fortress on Sunday (start at 3pm), seeking to secure a place in the final for the first time in the club’s history.
AmaKhosi have won the cup competition on 13 previous occasions, the most by any side, but have just a single success in 2013 since Nedbank took over sponsorship of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Maritzburg will be the team to beat as they have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season under rookie coach Fadlu Davids, who at the age of 36 is the youngest tactician in the top-flight.
Masandawana will present a formidable obstacle for them, though in four previous knockout fixtures between the sides, the honours have been evenly shared with two victories each, suggesting that Maritzburg can hold their own.
Sundowns have been the most successful of the remaining four sides over the last decade, with tournament wins in 2008 and 2015, and a final loss to SuperSport United in 2012.
The two semifinal fixtures are both tough to call, but the prize for the victors will be the cup final at the Cape Town Stadium next month.