Former TS Galaxy coach Owen Da Gama is reportedly the frontrunner to take over the vacant Swallows coaching job. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Polokwane City vs Highlands Park: Prediction, scores, kick-off time and head-to-head
Polokwane City and Highlands Park contest their maiden MTN8 semifinal, which is also the first time the two teams have met in a cup competition.
Former TS Galaxy coach Owen Da Gama is reportedly the frontrunner to take over the vacant Swallows coaching job. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Two of the surprise packages in the previous PSL season are on show on Saturday, as Polokwane City host Highlands Park in the first leg of the first MTN8 semifinal.
Both clubs have reached this stage for the first time ever, and have a chance to gain the ascendancy as they look to take a step further in the competition.
The visitors are the only debutants in the tournament left standing, having qualified after sneaking into the top eight in the league standings last season.
The Lions of the North progressed to the last four after slaying a giant in the form of Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals.
Having shown themselves to be tricky opponents, they have given the opposition coach headaches ahead of the clash.
However, Rise and Shine’s Serbian mentor Zlato Krmpotic is determined to give it his all at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
“Highlands Park are in good form, they play good football. We must be prepared for this game,” Krmpotic said.
“This is the first time we are in this stage of the competition in the semifinal, but we will give our best on Saturday.”
Zlato Krmpotic
Highlands Park go into the clash on the back of their first home victory – a 2-1 win in the league at home to AmaZulu.
The result was their first win in the Absa Premiership after collecting back-to-back stalemates.
Coach Owen da Gama has not been shy of chopping and changing in the early stages of the campaign, and gave an indication that he may have settled on a starting XI for the clash.
“We are happy with the team which will play on Saturday. We have to show faith in the entire squad,” Da Gama said.
“That’s how you create a healthy competition among the players. The two weeks after the game will come as a blessing for us.”
Owen da Gama
Polokwane City vs Highlands Park head to head
Highlands Park 0-2 Polokwane City
Polokwane City 2-2 Highlands Park
Highlands Park 1-1 Polokwane City
Polokwane City 3-2 Highlands Park
Kick-off time and prediction
Kick off: 15:00
Prediction: A tough prediction to make, given the unpredictability of both teams. Highlands Park are building a reputation of being draw specialists, and expect them to find the net on Saturday, claiming a crucial away goal. Since we have to, we’ll call a 1-1 draw on this one.
