Kaizer Chiefs face MTN8 test with Soweto Derby and Sundowns treble in sight

Kaizer Chiefs could set up a series of high-profile fixtures if they beat Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-final at FNB Stadium on Sunday, with the possibility of consecutive Soweto Derbies or three successive meetings with Mamelodi Sundowns awaiting them.

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have already secured their places in the semi-finals, although both needed extra time to overcome determined opposition in Saturday’s quarter-finals.

Pirates eventually defeated 10-man Durban City FC 2-1 at the Orlando Amstel Arena, while Sundowns followed that result by beating Polokwane City 3-2 after an additional 30 minutes at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The remaining quarter-final ties take place on Sunday. AmaZulu FC welcome Sekhukhune United to Chatsworth Stadium at 15:00, before Chiefs meet Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium at 18:00.

The Premier Soccer League has confirmed that the semi-final draw will be held immediately after the Chiefs-Arrows match.

The last four ties will be played over two legs, with the first matches scheduled for the weekend of 22-23 August and the return fixtures taking place on 29-30 August.

For Fernando da Cruz’s side, victory over Golden Arrows could lead to a mouth-watering sequence of matches against their biggest domestic rivals.

A Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates on consecutive weekends would become a realistic possibility, with the two Johannesburg clubs already scheduled to meet in the Betway Premiership on 31 October.

The Soweto Derby is one of the biggest fixtures in South African football and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious rivalries in Africa, as well as one of the best-known derbies in world football.

Chiefs could instead be drawn against Sundowns, known as The Brazilians. That route would give them three successive weekend encounters with the club from Pretoria, because the teams are due to face one another in the league next Saturday.

Another potential semi-final opponent is the winner of Sunday’s match between AmaZulu, also known as Usuthu, and Sekhukhune United, whose nickname is Babina Noko. That route may be viewed by some as a more favourable path to the final.

However, Chiefs must first overcome a Golden Arrows team that made a strong impression last season.

Arrows have changed their technical leadership since then, with Manqoba Mngqithi leaving the club and Pitso Dladla appointed as the new head coach.

The outcome at FNB Stadium will therefore determine not only who joins Pirates and Sundowns in the semi-final draw, but also whether Chiefs remain in contention for a potentially intense run of domestic fixtures involving South Africa’s leading clubs.