The PSL’s version of fantasy football will be on display when the inaugural DStv Compact Cup gets under way at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Fans will get to see dream combinations and players they never thought could work together.
Team line-ups and coaches have been voted for by the fans in a similar concept to the Carling Black Label Cup that has been contested by Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs over the past few years.
Critics have labelled the Compact Cup as a gimmick, as the league struggles to bring back excitement in football post the pandemic.
Fan-favourite Itumeleng Khune will make his return to the pitch. The veteran Chiefs goalkeeper has been voted in to start for Warriors FC, who will take on Amabutho at 6pm.
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Although these are just exhibition games, Khune will mark a rare appearance on the field since his last match for Chiefs in the MTN8 quarterfinal against Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the season.
He will team up with the Pirates duo of Thembinkosi Lorch and Happy Jele, and Swallows FC defender Thabo Matlaba in a team guided by Swallows coach Dylan Kerr.
Their opponents, Amabutho, are coached by former Chiefs mentor Ernst Middendorp. Their starting XI comprises of AmaZulu stars Veli Mothwa, Tapelo Xoki and Luvuyo Memela, as well as Royal AM in-form striker Victor Letsoalo.
“This is a really good initiative by the sponsors [DStv], especially if you consider the fact that fans have not been in the stadium for a very long time due to the pandemic.” Warriors coach Kerr said:
In the other clash, Coastal United will square off against Dinaledi at 3pm.
On their roster, Coastal have players such as Terrence Mashego, Thabo Nodada (both from Cape Town City) and Baroka FC striker Evidence Makgopa. They will be coached by Stellenbosch FC mentor Steve Barker.
Dinaledi, on the other hand, are trained by Dan Malesela, whose squad boasts the talents of SuperSport United stars Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena, as well as Kermit Erasmus of Mamelodi Sundowns.
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The winners will face off in the final at FNB Stadium next weekend.
DSTV COMPACT CUP SEMIFINAL FIXTURES
- Coastal United vs Dinaledi (3pm)
- Warriors vs Amabutho (6pm)
Both matches will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium
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