Soccer’s ‘big three’ square-off

THE next two weekends will be very important for the “big three” of South African soccer – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – as they prepare for their Caf Champions League and Confed Cup quarterfinals.

Football on the continent brings its own special challenges and rewards. It’s a very different proposition to the local Premier Soccer League, but it almost always makes for intriguing tales and storylines.

Our three glamour clubs find themselves in contrasting headspaces.

Sundowns are poised to wrap up their fourth-consecutive league title and they face a fascinating clash with Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who are coached by former Sundowns mastermind Pitso Mosimane.

There is a long history between these two clubs, not least because, in 2016, Sundowns, with Mosimane at the helm, won the trophy after a 3-1 win in the two-legged final.

Mosimane recently made heartfelt remarks to his former club, saying with a typical Pitso smile: “I created a monster at Sundowns and now it’s come back to bite me.”

Kaizer Chiefs and their coach Gavin Hunt have endured a turbulent season, and are battling to make the top 8 on the PSL log. Amakhosi are desperate for a title, and their match against Simba of Tanzania will be a chance to hopefully ease some of the heartache of their fans.

As for Orlando Pirates, they were the first South African side to win the Champions League in 1995. Since then, the closest they came to winning the competition was in 2013, losing the final to Al Ahly under coach Roger de Sa and assistant Eric Tinkler.

Pirates are fourth on the PSL log, after an up-and-down season under coach Josef Zinnbauer. Pirates play dangerous Raja Casablanca on Sunday afternoon, and a good showing in the Confed Cup will certainly help buy Zinnbauer some more time.

One thing is for sure: over the next two weekends, fans in Mzansi will be rooting for our three South African sides. How special would it be if all three of them made the respective semi-finals! We wish Sundowns, Chiefs and Pirates everything of the best.

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. INDIRA GANDHI