Cape Town Teams Power to Semi Finals

Ajax Cape Town will meet Supersport United in a potentially titanic encounter for a place in Monday’s final of the 2010 Metropolitan Premier Cup at Erica Park in Belhar, after the pair successfully negotiated their way through their respective quarter-finals on Sunday. The Urban Warriors fought back from a goal down to oust plucky Ikapa Sporting, 3-1, while Matsatsantsa’s superior tactical awareness and discipline earned them a 2-1 win over their Tshwane rivals and defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns. The Western Cape province is guaranteed at least one finalist from the other semi-final which will be contested between Vasco da Gama - who overcame Cape United, 3-1 – and Baltic Rangers, who caused a major upset by eliminating Kaizer Chiefs, 1-0 to reach the last four.




A first-half penalty by Ikapa midfielder Branko Phelekwa sparked Ajax into action and they drew level before the break through an Archford Gutu spot-kick. Ajax’s second-half pressure eventually bore fruit, with Masibonge Kondela netting a brace to kill off Ikapa’s stern resistance.



Supersport, meanwhile, established control of their tense derby against Sundowns virtually from the opening whistle, denying the Brazilians space in which to play, and making the most of their attacking opportunities. Following a goalless first period, Sheldon Stevens converted a penalty shortly after the restart and added a second with a clinical finish 10 minutes from full-time to secure a well-deserved win over their fierce rivals.



Baltic Rangers produced the shock of the round, proving too strong on the day against Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs. A first-half goal from Shaheed Abrahams was enough to settle the tie, 1-0, to send Rangers into an all-Cape Town semi-final against Vasco Da Gama. Vasco also had to come from behind to book their berth in the final four, after Devon Saal gave the Academy team an early lead. However, second-half strikes from Nathan Gertze, Simbongile Nvamende and Matthew Johannsen were enough to put Vasco comfortably through.



The sizeable crowd that braced the blustery conditions were treated to a music performance on the A Field by popular local act, Rapture, before the Plate and Mid-Section semi-finals were decided.



Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows both needed penalty shootouts to qualify for the Plate final. Swallows came out 4-3 winners against Young Buffaloes of Swaziland, following a goalless draw, and Pirates went through 5-4 after drawing 1-1 with Mr. Price Parkhurst.



Cape United and Kaizer Chiefs made it through to the Mid-Section final after narrow wins against Mamelodi Sundowns and Ikapa Sporting respectively.



Ajax will face Supersport on Erica Park’s B Field at 9:00am, with Baltic Rangers taking on Vasco Da Gama on the C Field at the same time.



The Plate final begins at 11:30am followed by the Mid-Section final at 12:45pm, both on A Field.



The grand final kicks off on A Field at 3:30pm.





RESULTS



Saturday 3 April

Winners’ Section - Last 16

Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Free State Stars

Cape United 3-0 Milano United

Baltic Rangers 3-0 Belhar Spurs

Ajax Cape Town 2-0 Players’ Academy

Supersport United 2-0 Salt River Blackpool

Ikapa Sporting 0-0 Santos (Ikapa Sporting win 6-5 on penalties)

Highlands Park 0-1 Vasco Da Gama

Harmony Academy 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs (Kaizer Chiefs win 5-3 on penalties)



Sunday 4 April

Winners’ Section - Quarterfinals

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 Supersport United

Vasco Da Gama 3-1 Cape United

Ikapa Sporting 1-3 Ajax Cape Town

Baltic Rangers 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs



Plate Semifinals

Moroka Swallows 0-0 Young Buffaloes (Moroka swallows win 4-3 on penalties)

Mr. Price Parkhurst 1 Orlando Pirates 1 (Orlando Pirates win 5-4 on penalties)



Mid-Section Semifinals

Mamelodi Sundowns 0 Cape United 1

Ikapa Sporting 1 Kaizer Chiefs 2