Wafa Wafa: The MTN8 is back

The MTN8 is coming back with a bang. This weekend the eight teams that closed the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season in the top eight led by Mamelodi Sundowns will start a new chapter of the MTN8. As one of the most popular competitions in South African football is on our doorstep, teams and players welcome the MTN8 Cup matches because they produce entertaining football.

The winning team will walk away with the coveted title and R8 million in cash. Fireworks are expected when Cape Town City and Amazulu meet in the first match which will be held at Athlone Stadium at three o’clock. What will make the game interesting is that AmaZulu beat Cape Town City 2-1 in last week’s DStv Premiership match.

After beating Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 at the beginning of the week, City will not accept defeat in the cup competition that they have won in the past years under the leadership of Benni McCarthy who is now Manchester United’s first-team coach.

Royal AM will host Orlando Pirates in a match at Chatsworth Stadium at 6pm on Saturday. After beating Royal AM 1-0 in the DStv Premiership match, Pirates will go to Chatsworth with confidence. Even though Royal AM started the season well, their performance in the previous games is likely to be the beginning of the collapse of what was built by Dan Malesela and Khabo Zondo who coach as a unit.

The highly anticipated match is between Stellenbosch and Chiefs at three o’clock at Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday. Stellies are deadly when they play at home. The lukewarm Chiefs meet Stellies at a bad time as they suffered a loss to Cape Town City.

Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane, is still optimistic even after his team suffered a loss for the third time this season. “Our play has not formulated because when you fix something, another problem will appear. But our defeat is not something to be ashamed of. We still have a chance to fix things,” said Zwane after the match in Cape Town.

The defending champions, Sundowns, will meet SuperSport United in a derby clash at Tuks Stadium on Sunday. Amatsatsantsa are still struggling this season, while Downs have also stumbled, they will leave no stone unturned because they want to defend their title.