Posted in News on Aug 24, 2004.
PSL administrator, Dan Leboa, stunned
club PRO's when he announced that: "all semifinal matches will be
played at neutral venues."
PROs of SuperSport United, Moroka Swallows, Kaizer Chiefs and
Wits University were all left gaping in disbelief when Leboa landed
his debilitating blow at Moyo's Restaurant where the draw was
conducted.
The home ground advantage is something that is usually
associated with cup matches.
Swallows were pitted against Chiefs in a Soweto derby due to be
played on September 18, meanwhile, the suburban derby between
SuperSport and the Students will be played the following day.
PSL chief executive Trevor Phillips said the annual competition promised
to provide excitement and exceptional football as the four clubs
battled for the SAA Supa 8 trophy.
"The fierce competition displayed so far in this tournament
shows that we are going to have a tight PSL season," said Phillips.
"The quarterfinal results afford Gauteng a chance of hosting the
SAA Supa 8 final for the first time."
Last year's final between Swallows and Jomo Cosmos was staged in
Durban.
If verbal sparring between club PRO's Sipho Xulu of Swallows and
Chiefs' Putco Mafani is anything to go by, then soccer enthusiasts
around Gauteng must brace themselves for a humdinger of a derby.
Swallows, who last beat Chiefs 2-1 in 2001, wants to put and end
to Chiefs' dominance.
"The time has come," warned Xulu. "I can assure you that the
beautiful Birds will be in the final".
Xulu's opposite number, Mafani, said Swallows' dreams ended in
the semifinal.
Meanwhile Dennis Tshabalala and David Skosana of Wits and
SuperSport respectively invited soccer enthusiasts to come in much
bigger numbers when their clubs "continue dishing out the type of
football that you want".
The semifinalists are guaranteed R430 000 while winners of the
trophy will pocket R1,3 million.
