Players to do it for Senzo

Young goalie thrown in at the deep end as Bucs aim for final

Pirates vs Supersport

Pirates are back in action for the first time since the passing of Meyiwa when they host Supersport United in a Telkom Knockout semifinal clash at Orlando Stadium tomorrow.

The Buccaneers are a game away from reaching a sixth straight cup final and this is a chance for them to honour their deceased captain.

"We're adjusting bit by bit," Gcaba said. "Some of the guys are okay and some are not, but we are pushing to make sure that we are all okay for the weekend. We've had professionals speaking to us and the players are motivating one another.

"We have to be strong and focus on the work ahead of us. Supersport are doing well and they are scoring goals. But we want to focus on ourselves and play our game."

Brighton Mhlongo could get his first taste of PSL action in goal this season as Meyiwa's replacement.

"Brighton was devastated, but we were there for him. We have tried to keep him strong. We told him just to be himself and we will see how things go," Gcaba said.

A few weeks after passing the captain's armband to Meyiwa, Bucs defender Siyabonga Sangweni is likely to lead the team tomorrow.

Supersport players were also hit hard by Meyiwa's death, but veteran defender Thabo September says they will show no sympathy to their grieving opponents. Supersport have done pretty well since Gordon Igesund took over as coach and are determined to avenge the MTN8 quarterfinal loss to Pirates in August. - Tshepang Mailwane

Platinum Stars vs Sundowns

There was probably some nervousness when Mamelodi Sundowns realised they would have to travel to Platinum Stars in their Telkom Knockout semifinal on Sunday.

This is because Dikwena have an unusual hold over the Brazilians, especially in cup competitions.

The teams have met six times in cup matches since 2003-2004, with Dikwena leading the head-to-head 4-2 and completing an unusual hat-trick earlier this season.

Their 2-1 victory in the quarterfinals of the MTN8 in August meant they have knocked Sundowns out of all three domestic cup competitions in the last 18 months without Pitso Mosimane's side registering any success of their own.

But it is not just in cups where Stars are kings. They actually have a marginally better record over Mamelodi Sundowns in all competitions, with 10 wins to nine in their 28 previous meetings.

The only other club that can claim a positive win-loss ratio against Sundowns is Kaizer Chiefs.

Brazilians coach Pitso Mosimane has admitted in the past that Stars are a "hoodoo" side for Sundowns. But they should take heart from their last visit to Phokeng, when the Tshwane side triumphed 3-1 in the league in March. - Nick Said