Minnow soccer sides have dominated recent Premier Soccer League (PSL) cup competitions and the now familiar trend looks set to continue in this weekend's outstanding Super Eight quarterfinal fixtures.
PSL statistics show that the last time any of the so-called big guns Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns won a cup competition was in 2001 when Amakhosi triumphed over Jomo Cosmos in a soccer Cup final.
That was the last victory by any of the big clubs and the subsequent cup competitions were won by the underrated Santos and Cosmos. Pirates may have won the PSL league title last season but they could not transfer that form to the cup competitions.
Although Chiefs also won the soccer Challenge and the Charity Cup, these tournaments are regarded as pre-season competitions.
The trophy cabinets have been barren since and the status quo looks set to continue as both Pirates and Chiefs stumbled at the first hurdle of the inaugural Super Eight last weekend.
Cosmos accounted for Pirates while Wits beat Chiefs.
Sundowns finished out of the top eight last season and were ineligible for this year's tournament.
Durban side Golden Arrows get a rare chance to bask in the limelight when they host Moroka Swallows in what should be a tricky match for the Birds at Kings Park Soccer stadium tomorrow.
Then on Sunday, Supersport United welcome Limpopo club Dynamos at their new Loftus stadium home ground.
All four clubs taking part in this weekend's games are on a high following off-the-field confidence-boosts to their fortunes.
Arrows received a three year "multimillion rand" sponsorship deal from cellular company MTN last month that should relieve the club's directors of the financial burden of running the club.
The windfall should allow coach Khabo Zondo's charges to concentrate on the field of play instead of worrying if they will be paid at the end of the month.
Swallows have every reason to smile as clothing manufacturers Reebok renewed their sponsorship agreement with the tradition-steeped club this week.
United has a new swagger in its step after recently completing something of a palace coup over bitter rivals Downs.
The two clubs have always had a strained relationship and it sank to new depths following the M-Net-owned side's acquisition of Loftus for the coming season.
Dynamos are playing in their first-yet top eight competition after the impressive showing in the PSL.
The club recently surprised the football fraternity when it signed former Bafana Bafana and Downs midfielder Alex Bapela.
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1411211-6078-0,00.html
PSL statistics show that the last time any of the so-called big guns Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns won a cup competition was in 2001 when Amakhosi triumphed over Jomo Cosmos in a soccer Cup final.
That was the last victory by any of the big clubs and the subsequent cup competitions were won by the underrated Santos and Cosmos. Pirates may have won the PSL league title last season but they could not transfer that form to the cup competitions.
Although Chiefs also won the soccer Challenge and the Charity Cup, these tournaments are regarded as pre-season competitions.
The trophy cabinets have been barren since and the status quo looks set to continue as both Pirates and Chiefs stumbled at the first hurdle of the inaugural Super Eight last weekend.
Cosmos accounted for Pirates while Wits beat Chiefs.
Sundowns finished out of the top eight last season and were ineligible for this year's tournament.
Durban side Golden Arrows get a rare chance to bask in the limelight when they host Moroka Swallows in what should be a tricky match for the Birds at Kings Park Soccer stadium tomorrow.
Then on Sunday, Supersport United welcome Limpopo club Dynamos at their new Loftus stadium home ground.
All four clubs taking part in this weekend's games are on a high following off-the-field confidence-boosts to their fortunes.
Arrows received a three year "multimillion rand" sponsorship deal from cellular company MTN last month that should relieve the club's directors of the financial burden of running the club.
The windfall should allow coach Khabo Zondo's charges to concentrate on the field of play instead of worrying if they will be paid at the end of the month.
Swallows have every reason to smile as clothing manufacturers Reebok renewed their sponsorship agreement with the tradition-steeped club this week.
United has a new swagger in its step after recently completing something of a palace coup over bitter rivals Downs.
The two clubs have always had a strained relationship and it sank to new depths following the M-Net-owned side's acquisition of Loftus for the coming season.
Dynamos are playing in their first-yet top eight competition after the impressive showing in the PSL.
The club recently surprised the football fraternity when it signed former Bafana Bafana and Downs midfielder Alex Bapela.
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1411211-6078-0,00.html
