Moroka Swallows are currently on song but the fact that they come up against a side they have only beaten once in the previous 18 encounters should be enough to instill fear and uncertainty among their supporters.

The two Soweto rivals come face to face in a Supa 8 semifinal clash at Durban’s Absa Park on Sunday and the scene is already set for a thrilling encounter as over 25 000 supporters have already purchased their tickets.

It’s more than likely that the majority of those numbers will be Amakhosi supporters and Swallows could find the challenge even tougher.

Chiefs, who have enjoyed a fair degree of dominance over their Soweto neighbours since 1996, will claim that statistics count for nothing when it comes to cup matches. But Swallows will only have painful memories of their previous encounters against the league champions.

The only time Swallows had celebrated victory against Chiefs was back in the 2000-01 season in their second round league match with Kenny Niemach and Goodman Mazibuko providing the goals in the 2-1 win.

Mohammed Ouseb, now with Swallows, scored the consolation for Chiefs on the day. It was a sweet victory for the Dube Birds, more so, as they achieved that outcome in Amakhosi’s own backyard. The win also put a temporary end to Chiefs’ dominance of Swallows in the Castle Premiership since 1996.

But years to follow that had nothing but pain for Swallows, as they lost six and drew once in the process suffering some humiliating defeats (5-1 in 2001-02 and 4-2 the following season) against Chiefs.

As the two prepare to dazzle and excite the Durban crowds, many people will argue that the Swallows of today has all the right ingredients to cause an upset and a sweet revenge against Amakhosi.

Not surprising though, as the Birds have chalked up 3-0 back-to-back victories against Ajax Cape Town (league and cup) and then 1-0 win against Dynamos plus a draw against Sundowns.

They have only lost once in their previous five matches since the start of the season and the abnormally tall striker Lungisani Ndlela is sure to play a key role in their attack as he has done so with a hat-trick against Ajax on August 8.

But it would be a grave mistake for Chiefs to focus their attention only on the lanky striker, who has boldly declared that Chiefs hold no fear for him.

Zimbabwean midfielder Edzai Kasinaiyo along with former Bafana Bafana star Maimane Phiri have also played pivotal roles in Swallows’ early success in the season and a lot will be expected from them on Sunday.

Chiefs will, however, have illusions about their dominance over Swallows as they will try to slay the ghost of last season when they failed to progress beyond to first stage of the SAA Supa 8.

So far they did well by qualifying for the semifinals and with a possible clash against Wits University or SuperSport United, they could yet produce another surprise.

Young Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma, has promised to score 40 goals this season - a bold prediction by the youngster and he has so far displayed that his promise might not turn out to be an empty one. He has already scored six goals (four league and two cup) and he seems to have a new trick every time he takes to the field. If left unchecked, Swallows could suffer yet another embarrassing defeat against Chiefs.

Chiefs started the season in fine form winning three of their league matches to take pole position in the league title race. This, despite the fact that they are yet to introduce some of their new players like Gert Schalkwyk and Zambian striker Songwe Chalwe.

It promises to be a cracker of a game with the big prize being a date with either SuperSport or Wits.