The MTN8 semifinal draw has been made and there will be no shortage of drama with two Soweto Derbies in the mix as Orlando Pirates take on Kaizer Chiefs.
The exact dates have not yet been announced by the Premier Soccer League, but matches are scheduled for the weekend of 31 October - 1 November and 7-8 November.
Here is a quick guide to the two-legged semifinal ties.
ORLANDO PIRATES VS KAIZER CHIEFS
This fixture needs no introduction and is a massive test for both camps early in the season, which could set the tone for their entire campaign.
That is particularly true for Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt, who will know what victory in this tie will mean in terms of winning over the AmaKhosi faithful.
Chiefs had gone 13 matches without a win over Pirates (bar penalty shoot-outs), but did the league double over their Soweto rivals last season with 3-2 and 1-0 victories.
They also ousted Pirates from the Telkom Knockout, winning on penalties after the teams played to a 2-2 draw.
It will be their first meeting in the MTN8 since 2014 when a Tefu Mashamaite goal gave Chiefs a 1-0 win in the final. That was also the last time they lifted the trophy.
Pirates have to go further back for their last win in the competition, which came in 2011.
SUPERSPORT UNITED VS BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC
Celtic’s reward for victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarterfinals is a meeting with another Tshwane side in SuperSport United.
This is a fixture that has seen more draws than any other type of result, suggesting a tight affair over the two legs is likely.
Of the 57 previous meetings in all competitions, an astonishing 32 have ended in a stalemate, including both league meetings last season, and four of the last five games overall.
SuperSport edge the head-to-head record with 13 wins to Celtic’s 12, while the last time they clashed in the MTN8 competition was all the way back in 2005 when Celtic beat Matsatsantsa 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from Rotson Kilambe.
That is, in fact, the only other time they have met in the competition.
