Chiefs and Pirates get home ties

The three Soweto Premier Soccer League giants, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows all got home ties when the seeded draw for the MTN8 competition was made at the Orlando Stadium.

Holders Golden Arrows, failed to qualify for the top eight and will not be able to defend their title they won last season when they defeated Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in the final that was also played at the Orlando Stadium.

Bucs are determined to end their trophy drought according to their captain Lucky Lekgwathi who was happy his side play Santos at Orlando Stadium next Sunday (August 22).

“Santos are always a handful. It has been 10 years since we won the Top 8 and it is time to put that record straight. The confidence is back and we are looking forward to starting the new PSL season on a high note by lifting this trophy,” remarked Lekgwathi.

The hard tackling Bucs defender said the fact the club had bought quality players such as midfielders Diane Klate and Mark Mayambela added with the return from loan to Bloemfontein Celtic of attacking midfielder Tlou Segolela has boosted Bucs hopes.

“Luck has been against us in the past decade. But we are determined to change our fortunes this season.” said Lekgwathi.

Former Pirates star Tyren Arendse now captain of Santos is excited about returning to face his old club: “Pirates have brought in some good players. But we aim to continue from where we left off last season and keep improving. Pirates will be a good test for us. We basically have the same squad and that means we have continuity which will stand us in good stead.”

Chiefs play Celtic in what promises to be one of the best ties of the round at their new home, the Rand Stadium next Saturday night at 8pm.

"Winning the Telkom Charity Cup by beating Pirates in the final at Soccer City (renamed FNB Stadium) last weekend has boosted our confidence. But we still have work to do. We made mistakes in that tournament which we will sort out by the time we play Celtic,” remarked Amakhosi skipper Jimmy Tau.

Tau admitted Celtic are a formidable side under new coach Clinton Larson who will make his debut as a PSL coach after serving as Owen da Gama's assistant last season.

Da Gama resigned from Celtic and joined Platinum Stars last week.

“It would have been nice to play Chiefs at home. But playing at the Rand Stadium also suits us. Our fans will come in their thousands and give us that vital support. We are not afraid of Chiefs, if we aim to win the competiton we have to beat sides like Chiefs on any venue,” added Celtic star midfielder Thabo Nthethe.

Ajax kick-off the new PSL season when they host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Athlone stadium next Friday night at 8pm.

It will be new Downs coach Antonio Lopez Habas' official baptism after taking over from temperamental Bulgarian coach Hristo Stoitchkov recently.

Habas was the grumpy Stoitchkov's assistant last season and according to midfield star Papi Zothwane things will go better under the new coach.

“Habas did most of the work last season and we like working with him. The players were happy when he took over, as he is a good coach and will be a big asset to Downs this season. I am looking forward to playing for him this season,” explained Zothwane.

Zothwane is hoping to shine this term and get his place back in the Bafana Bafana side.

“I suffered with injuries last season and I am inspired by the fact Pitso Mosimane is now Bafana head coach. I need a good run to restore my confidence and build up my match fitness and I will be knocking on Pitso's door soon.”

In the other quarterfinal Swallows play PSL champions Supersport United at Dobsonville next Saturday at 3pm.

“This will be a good challenge for Swallows. The fact we have home ground advantage is a big bonus for us,” remarked Birds star striker Siyabonga Nomvete.

The draw: (Home teams first).

Friday August 20: Ajax Cape Town v Mamelodi Sundowns (Athlone Stadium 8pm).

Saturday: Moroka Swallows v Supersport United (Dobsonville 3pm); Kaizer Chiefs v Bloemfontein Celtic (Rand Stadium 8pm).

Sunday: Orlando Pirates v Santos (Orlando Stadium 3pm).