Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye believes Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC will be victorious in this weekend’s Nedbank Cup semi-finals and that the Cape Winelands-side will end up lifting the trophy.
The iDiski TV analyst spoke to this website exclusively ahead of the two clashes this weekend, but he has little hope for his former side to select their sixth successive win over rivals Pirates.
The Buccaneers travel as visitors to FNB Stadium, which has been sold out, on Saturday, while Stellenbosch take on Sekhukhune United on Sunday – with Khanye set on his favourites to reach the next round.
“I don’t think they’ve got a team that can compete [at this level], especially with trophies on the line and where there is pressure. Psychologically, I don’t think the team is strong enough.”
When asked why Chiefs were able to win their last five league games against Pirates, including a double this season and in 2021/22, Khanye insisted that Sipho Chaine will make a massive difference in goal for the Sea Robbers.
“Pirates have got the players, they’ve got the mental strengths, but Jose Riveiro still needs to prove himself in the derby,” he explained.
“But Pirates have experienced players to win this game and they also got the goalkeeper now. Their downfall was the keeper.
“In the derbies they’ve lost, it was down to the goalkeeper, but Chaine makes a huge difference. He can read situations, he can play with his feet, he is very comfortable in terms of ball-handling.
“So Pirates have got a very strong team now and they are winning, they are on good form. In terms of quality of the players, they are number two behind Mamelodi Sundowns.
“They beat Sundowns 3-0, why can’t they beat Kaizer Chiefs?”
Meanwhile, Khanye was also full of praise for Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch, predicting their in-form attacking trio to carry them into the final at the expense of Sekhukhune.
“Stellenbosch are a well-structured team, the other team [besides Pirates] that can win this trophy,” he added.
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“In fact they are going to win it. Pirates is going to beat Chiefs but Pirates is going to lose to Stellenbosch in the final.
“They are well-structured, they’re doing well with players from their development. The best front-three, [Iqraam] Rayners, [Devin] Titus and [Junior] Mendieta. And the best midfielder in [Sibongiseni] Mthethwa.
“Their down fall is they’re conceding goals – even when they win, score five or six goals, they are conceding two. They must play Lee [Langeveldt]. I played with him in the U23, he’s a very good goalkeeper.
“Sekhukhune are [also] a very good team, they’ve improved compared to last season but I don’t think they’re ready to go to the final.”
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