Sundowns playing mind games

Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens has started the gamesmanship ahead of this weekend's crunch fixtures by marking his side as underdogs and Orlando Pirates as favourites to retain the MTN8 trophy.

Sundowns face last year's champions, Pirates, in their first-leg semi-final encounter at Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams will approach the highly anticipated fixture on a high, having won their midweek Premiership matches, with Pirates beating Platinum Stars 1-0 on Tuesday and the Brazilians garnering their first win of the campaign by defeating Jomo Cosmos 2-0 on Wednesday.

"We will be playing a good a team that proved their ability by winning a treble last season," Neeskens said on Thursday.

"They also hold the advantage of resting an extra day more than the other teams in the semi-finals.

"So, of course, they should be the favourites to win it, but favourites can also lose."

The Buccaneers' coach, Julio Leal, said his team would be geared up ahead of the first-leg tie.

"I hope the game will reach expectations," said Leal.

"I have seen an improvement in my squad since the season started and am confident in my players.

"As this competition's defending champions, we will have to fight."

In the first semi-final, Kaizer Chiefs host Ajax Cape Town in a potentially enterprising first-leg encounter set for FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

Two seasons back they met in the same stage of this cup, with Ajax prevailing in a match regarded to be one of the best two-legged ties to have been played in the competition.

Amakhosi have been battling to maintain a fully fit squad since the season started, and ahead of Wednesday night's 2-0 win over Moroka Swallows in the league, they had to do without midfielder Mthokozisi Yende and defender Thomas Sweswe because of flu.

First choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is another injury concern after he suffered a knock to his elbow against the Birds, adding to the leg injury he picked up last weekend.

"We have a good group of players and at times we have to make rotations with the team because we play a game every three days," said Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic.

"S'thembiso Ngcobo started training with the squad today (Thursday) from his injury with midfielders Reneilwe Letsholonyane and George Lebese still out.

"We also don't yet know what's going on with Khune, and we will get more information on Friday, but besides this, we still have a squad for the match."

Amakhosi's Serbian mentor, however, is expecting a tough contest from the Urban Warriors, despite Ajax stuttering at the start of their league campaign with a loss and a draw in their first two matches.

"Some say that the Ajax that plays in Cape Town is not the same team when they travel. I don't think that is true," said Vermezovic.

"I know we beat them 4-0 in the league the last time we played them, last season, but this will be a new game and I'm only hoping that we will be able to repeat that performance."