“The stats put us on the front foot,” confirms Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela. “The MTN8 semifinal is about two matches. We must not only take advantage of the home ground, but also of the advantage of the away goal.”

The first leg of the MTN8 semifinal ended in a 1-1 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic scoring first, through Helder Pelembe, before Bernard Parker replied for Amakhosi with a beauty in the second half.

The second leg of the MTN8 semifinal will be played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 29 August (kick-off is at 20:15).

The away goal means that Amakhosi need to keep a clean sheet in this return game en route to defending the title.

“We acknowledge that they come well prepared,” observes Komphela. “Their 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in midweek has given them a psychological advantage, as they didn’t field some of their key players. These have now fresh legs to take us on.”

The cup record between the teams is in favour of Chiefs, who have claimed eight wins (compared to just one for Celtic) in 12 matches between the teams. In all competitions, the Amakhosi have 39 wins from 67 matches, with just 11 victories for Phunya Sele Sele.

“We must just go out on the pitch and do what we do normally,” Komphela concludes. “We will attack sensibly, defend sensibly and get sensible results.”

Tickets for the match are selling fast, hence we encourage the supporters to buy their tickets at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide and fill the stadium as was the case with the first leg of this MTN8 semifinal. Tickets are R60 for the West Stand and R40 for the rest of the stadium. Children under the age of 12 pay R10 for entry. Parking tickets sell for R20.