By Motlalepula Maduna
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) will unofficially get underway this weekend when two of the most popular teams in the country  do battle in the annual Carling Black Label Cup at a sold-out FNB stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates lock horns in a much anticipated and fans oriented clash paving way for the PSL season to begin next weekend. Although deemed a pre-season friendly, fans from both sides will no doubt be expecting their teams to go all out in an effort of gaining the bragging rights.
South African soccer fans are known for their impatience against coaches and players when results don’t go as desired. Consequently, the Carling Black Label Cup is a first of its kind where fans get to dictate, through voting, the starting eleven and one lucky knowledgeable fan get to coach the team of their favorite on the day.
Defending champions, Chiefs, will be hoping to defend their title after winning their first ever Black Label Cup trophy last year courtesy of a Lehlohonolo Majoro goal, who will now be playing for the opposite side on Saturday. Pirates on the other hand, who felt aggrieved after last year’s results was decided by the most controversial moment, will be looking to reclaim the trophy they have won twice since its launch in 2011.
Players to watch:
Katlego Mphela
With fan favorites, Bernard Parker and Knowledge Musona, out of contention due to injury and contractual issues respectively, the attention will no doubt be shifted on the man widely knowing as ‘Killer’ to bag goals for the Naturena based side.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns man is yet to display the form the ‘Amakhosi’ faithfuls expect since arriving  although he did show some glimpses of his old-self in the latter stages of the league campaign. A good showing on Saturday for Mphela will be good for his confidence going into the new season.
Lehlohonolo Majoro
Scored the winning goal for Chiefs in the last Black Label edition, Majoro now finds himself in the opposite end and raring to prove his worth after falling out with his former team’s technical stuff.
Like Mphela, a lot is expected from ‘Major’ following an indifference spell since arriving at Park-town earlier this year. Things couldn’t be more tough for Majoro as he is likely to endure a hostile reception from the Chiefs fans thus a goal and victory will be sweeter for the Pirates striker who is yet to cement his berth in the starting line-up.
Here’s how the teams will line up on Saturday
Kaizer Chiefs XI:
Itumeleng Khune
Siboniso Gaxa
Eric Mathoho
Tefu Mashamaite
Tsepo Masilela
George Lebese
Reneilwe Letsholonyane
George Maluleka
Willard Katsande
Kingston Nkhatha
Katlego Mphela
Orlando Pirates XI:
Senzo Meyiwa
Rooi Mahamutsa
Happy Jele
Siyabonga Sangweni
Thabo Matlaba
Tlou Segolela
Sifiso Myeni
Oupa Manyisa
Daine Klate
Kermit Erasmus
Lehlohonolo Majoro
The match will be played at the FNB Stadium with kickoff scheduled at 15:30 (Live on SABC1 and SS204).
