Stellenbosch FC would have to do something that no one has done against Orlando Pirates in 11 years, to beat the Soweto giants in the MTN8 second leg semi final at Orlando Stadium on Sunday (15:00).
Pirates, who have won this cup more than anyone (four times since MTN took over as the sponsorship in 2008), lead Stellies by 2-1 heading into the second leg.
In the first leg earlier this month, Jose Riveiro’s side scored via in-form striker Zakhele Lepasa and Deon Hotto.
Pirates were asked to come from behind after Ivory Coast defender Ismail Toure guided a header for Steve Barker’s side to take a shock lead at the back post in the referee’s optional time in the first half.
Stellies, when they scored that goal, were already a man down after Thabo Moloisane was sent off for the studs up challenge.
However, the former Maritzburg United defender has served his suspension and is set to form part of the defence for Stellies in Soweto.
But Toure will not be part of the side as he is suspended after he was red carded against Moroka Swallows in the league match at Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday.
As Stellies are up against it, they are not at their best as they have not won in the five matches and are in the MTN8 last four for the first time in their history.
To make matters worse, they have lost strongman Sibongiseni Mthethwa to Kaizer Chiefs, and are facing an uphill battle to overturn the score and beat Pirates in the Wafa Wafa Cup semis and reach the final.
The last club that beat Pirates in the second leg of the MTN8 semi final was SuperSport United in the 2012/13 season, after the first leg had finished goalless in Pretoria.
Pirates, just like this season, were the defending champions then but Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport won 3-0 through goals by Ashley Hartog, Clifford Mulenga and Mabhuti Khenyeza.
Meanwhile, if Pirates beat Stellies, this will be Riveiro’s 30th victory in 49 matches, matching Josef Zinnbauer, who had to be in charge in 50 games to register such wins at the Houghton side.
