Four teams, Kaizer Chiefs, Hearts of Oak, Orlando Pirates and Asante Kotoko will do battle for a place in the finals of the Vodacom Challenge.

Chiefs, holders of the rhino horn-shaped trophy, will test the waters first as they entertain crack Ghanaian outfit Hearts in a 12:30 kick-off.

The pressure is mounting on the Naturena outfit as they try to appease their supporters following a disappointing domestic season. The new players will also be out to impress their coach as they aim to cement places in the first team.

However, Hearts – twice winners of the African Champions League - will be no experimental guinea pigs and Chiefs could pay dearly should they be caught napping.

The Ghanaians have a score to settle with home rivals Kotoko, who will play against Pirates – the winners of the inaugural Vodacom Challenge - in the second semifinal. The two Ghanaian sides are like cat and mouse and the last time they met in Accra, 126 people lost their lives in Africa’s worst stadium stampede.

But should the two sides safely negotiate the semifinal minefield against Chiefs and Pirates, they could have a neutral venue to settle old scores to determine the giants of Ghanaian football.

South African soccer rivals Chiefs and Pirates also have their own axes to grind. The Buccaneers clinched their first league title in seven years this year and the defeat by Chiefs in their last match of the season did not bother the Ghost – their supporters.

Amakhosi veteran midfielder Doctor Khumalo said he expected a tough game against Accra Hearts and as such has cautioned his teammates to be alert.

"The players know what is at stake and there’s no need to motivate them," said Khumalo. "We had a disappointing season by our standards and we have to make up for that. Hearts are a very good side with an outstanding record both in Ghana and African club competitions and they cannot be underestimated."

Chiefs midfielder Thabo Mooki will be out with swollen ribs and goalkeeper Brian Baloyi is on national duty with Bafana Bafana in Ouagadougou. The two are key members of the team and have been appointed vice-captains to Khumalo.

The final will be played in Durban on July 8. The organisers have stated that whoever wins, will have to defend the title next year.