JOHANNESBURG Six Zimbabweans will face-off in the two-legged semi-finals of South Africas lucrative winner-takes-all MTN8 knockout tournament, which begin this weekend. {Pictured : An MTN official shows the MTN8 trophy, flanked by Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows), :Pere Ariweyayi (Amazulu) and Brett Evans (Ajax Cape Town}.A draw made in the MTN headquarters in Fairlands, Johannesburg pitted Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs against Ajax Cape Town in the first semi-final match to be played at Newlands Stadium in the coastal city of Cape Town.
Ajax, who begin at home, have former Warriors striker Wilfred Mugeyi as their assistant coach and youthful striker Archieford Gutu, who signed from Shooting Stars during the off-season.
Chiefs, on the other hand, boast the highest number of Zimbabwean players in their ranks, with young Warriors striker Knowledge Musona, defenders Thomas Sweswe and Zhaimu Jambo and defensive midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha, who also captains the Naturena-based side.
The other semi-final will feature Durban-based sides Amazulu and Lamontville Golden Arrows. The second legs will be played during the weekend of August 22 and 23, while the final will take place on September 26, at a yet to be named venue.
Kaizer Chiefs are the defending champions, after they beat Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties last year and are favoured to cruise through again this season, although Ajax stand between them and a record-breaking second successive triumph in the lucrative tournament.
Winners will pocket a whooping R8 million, while each of the other seven sides that took part, including the losing finalists, will take home R800 000.
Post published in: Football