August 2, 2006
By Safrica.info reporter
The draw for one of South African football's richest knockout competitions was made in Johannesburg on Tuesday 1 August. The competition, offering a total of R2.75-million in prize money, features the top eight finishers from the previous season's Premier Soccer League.
Three of the teams competing for the coveted trophy, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows, are based in Johannesburg. Last year, the cup was won by Bloemfontein Celtic.
In a match-up of first versus eighth, Mamelodi Sundowns will face Santos, while the contest between second and seventh pits Orlando Pirates against Supersport United. Third against sixth sees Kaizer Chiefs take on Golden Arrows, while fourth against fifth sees Moroka Swallows tackle Silver Stars.
The draw was kind to most of the top seeds with Sundowns, Chiefs and Swallows all securing home ties.
Odd team out
Pirates were the odd team out, and they'll face a tricky tie against Supersport United away from home. "Matsatsantsa" are traditionally a very good knockout cup team and "the Buccaneers" will have their hands full against the Pretoria-based outfit.
Chiefs and Arrows get proceedings under way at the FNB Stadium on 12 August, followed by Sundowns hosting Santos the next day at the Super Stadium. On 19 August, Supersport United play Pirates at Loftus Versfeld, and on 20 August Swallows go up against Silver Stars at Germiston Stadium.
The semi-finals take place on the weekend of 23/24 September, with the final scheduled for 21 October.
Prize money
Prize money for the winning team is R1.3-million, with the runners-up set to pocket R750 000. The third and fourth place finishers pick up R430 000, while teams five through eight take home R220 000. In addition, there are a number of individual prizes, all worth R20 000. These will be awarded to the player of the tournament, the top goal scorer of the tournament, and the coach of the tournament. R30 000 is on offer for various media awards.
Countdown to World Cup 2010
According to the CEO of South African Airways, the competition is the beginning of the countdown to the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.
Premier Soccer League CEO Trevor Phillips said the SAA Supa Eight competition would provide an exciting start to what was sure to be an exciting year for the PSL. He reckons South African football will be drawing more attention as the focus shifts to the 2010 World Cup, and that the SAA Supa Eight will provide one of the cogs in the wheel of preparation for soccer's biggest tournament.
South African Airways will also do its bit for grassroots development by making it possible for 300 children, who normally wouldn't have the means, to attend each SAA Supa Eight match.
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