Johannesburg - Wits striker Sibusiso Vilakazi believes playing at home first will be vital when they meet Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-finals.
The Clever Boys will duel against the Buccaneers for a final place in the Wafa-Wafa competition in a two-legged encounter scheduled to begin next week.
The 2013/14 Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Year believes winning the first match at home would be vital as they aim to reach their second consecutive cup final, having lost 3-1 to the same side in the Nedbank Cup final last season.
“On the day when we play, we are hoping that we will do the right thing. And I hope that we will be able to fight as a team, so that we must be in a good position heading into the second leg which we will play away from home.
“As a team, we are hoping to get the positive results at home and that will make things a bit easier going to the second leg.”
Wits eliminated Bloemfontein Celtic in the quarter-finals, winning 4-3 on penalties after a goalless stalemate last Friday.
Pirates enjoyed a 2-1 victory over SuperSport United last Saturday.
Kermit Erasmus and Daine Klate were on target for Vladimir Vermezovic’s men on the night, while David Mathebula’s consolation goal was not enough for the Pretoria-based team.
MTN8 semi-final fixtures:
17 August: Wits vs Orlando Pirates (Bidvest Stadium) - 15:00
23 August: Orlando Pirates vs Wits (Orlando Stadium) - 20:15
The Clever Boys will duel against the Buccaneers for a final place in the Wafa-Wafa competition in a two-legged encounter scheduled to begin next week.
The 2013/14 Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Year believes winning the first match at home would be vital as they aim to reach their second consecutive cup final, having lost 3-1 to the same side in the Nedbank Cup final last season.
“On the day when we play, we are hoping that we will do the right thing. And I hope that we will be able to fight as a team, so that we must be in a good position heading into the second leg which we will play away from home.
“As a team, we are hoping to get the positive results at home and that will make things a bit easier going to the second leg.”
Wits eliminated Bloemfontein Celtic in the quarter-finals, winning 4-3 on penalties after a goalless stalemate last Friday.
Pirates enjoyed a 2-1 victory over SuperSport United last Saturday.
Kermit Erasmus and Daine Klate were on target for Vladimir Vermezovic’s men on the night, while David Mathebula’s consolation goal was not enough for the Pretoria-based team.
MTN8 semi-final fixtures:
17 August: Wits vs Orlando Pirates (Bidvest Stadium) - 15:00
23 August: Orlando Pirates vs Wits (Orlando Stadium) - 20:15