Not many people would have looked at the fact that three of the four semifinalists for the 2006 SAA Supa8 tournament have a real look of De Ja Vu, as the only other time Chiefs made it to the semifinals since the Competition had a name change in 2003. Moroka Swallows, and SuperSport United joined them in the last four of the competition in 2004.

This time around SuperSport and Moroka Swallows are still in the hunt for the trophy along with The Amakhosi so are defending PSL Champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

In 2004 Chiefs were drawn to face the challenge of Moroka Swallows in the semi finals, with the two teams drawn to face each other again this year many Chiefs fans will be optimistic that The Amakhosi will be able to again cast aside the challenge of their Soweto rivals, like they did in 2004.

Further strengthening the notion that Chiefs can high tail their Soweto rivals is the fact that the league have opted to play the game at the ABSA Stadium in Durban.

It was at the ABSA Stadium in Durban where Collins Mbesuma’s solitary goal was enough to see off the challenge of Swallows in the semi final of the SAA Supa8 in 2004 a goal, which saw Chiefs through to the final.

Most recently the ABSA Stadium in Durban was the venue where Chiefs defeated another of their Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates in the final of the ABSA Cup on the 20th May. The signs are looking ominous for Chiefs and could be ushering The Amakhosi towards another Cup Final come the 21st October.

Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp has no issue with playing the game in Durban, he is though concerned with the state of the ever changing ABSA Stadium Pitch saying, “we do not have a problem with playing the game in Durban, my real issue is with the state of the pitch.

”When we played Arrows there in September 2005 the pitch was excellent, the same could not be said though when we played the ABSA Cup Final, it was not in a good shape for that game. Over all though I do like playing games in Durban particularly at the ABSA Stadium because in two official games played at the ABSA Stadium since I have been coach of Chiefs we have won both those game.”

Chiefs and Swallows will do battle in Durban on the 24th September 2006 a day after the first semi final which is an all Tshwane derby bringing together current PSL Champions Mamelodi Sundowns and 2004 SAA Supa8 winners and 2005 SAA Supa8 runners up SuperSport United.

The first semifinal will be held on the 23rd September will take place at the Olimpia Park Stadium in Rustenburg in the North West Province, with the kick off time for both semi finals set at 15h15.

2006 SAA Supa8 Semifinal Line-up

Saturday 23rd, September 2006


Olimpia Park, Rustenburg


Mamelodi Sundowns Vs SuperSport United


Kick Off 15h15

Sunday 24th,September 2006


ABSA Stadium, Durban


Kaizer Chiefs Vs Moroka Swallows


Kick Off 15h15