Chippa battle Chiefs for Nedbank Cup final berth

Chippa United host Kaizer Chiefs in a Nedbank Cup semifinal clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening.

Kick-off is at 8:15pm CAT.

The winner will face either Golden Arrows or National First Division side TS Galaxy in the final of this season's competition, at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 18 May.

Chippa are aiming to qualify for their first ever domestic cup final, having beaten two league title contenders on their way to the final four.

The Chilli Boys beat Mamelodi Sundowns (2-1), second-tier outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (2-0) and Bidvest Wits (5-3 on penalties) after 120 minutes of thrilling action in Braamfontein ended deadlock at 4-4.

Chippa head coach Clinton Larsen is confident of his side's chances of beating a desperate Chiefs outfit who are eager to bring an end to a four-year trophy drought.

“It’s the club’s 10 year anniversary this year and this is an opportunity for us to try and get to a major final for the first time,” Larsen said.

“So we are going to do everything in our power to try and win this one. It is going to be huge for the city if we get to the final.

“We are not going to do anything different. We want to keep the players focused and grounded and make sure that we treat this game like we have done any other games.”

He continued: “I think they are also under a lot of pressure. This is the only trophy they have left to play for, so they are going to play with a lot of desperation.

“The longer the game goes and they don’t score, the pressure builds and that is what we have to make sure we do.

“We playing against a quality Chiefs team but I must honestly say I don’t think they are at they are best. They have admitted it themselves, so if they were ever there for the taking I think this is the opportune time for us," Larsen concluded.

Following extra-time wins over third-tier opposition, Tornado FC (1-0) and Magic FC (3-0) respectively, Chiefs outplayed Cape Town City (2-0) in Mbombela to book their place in the semifinals.

Pressure is mounting on the Glamour Boys and nothing but victory in this season's Nedbank Cup will condemn the campaign as a huge failure.

Star player Khama Billiat was lured to Naturena with the hope of rekindling the glory years, but lingering in seventh spot in the league, the cup competition is Chiefs only hope of turning a mediocre campaign into a good season.

“We can’t call this one of the best seasons for Chiefs,” said Billiat. “I have always watched them from outside and they have had better seasons. It would be great to finish with a trophy.

He continued: “Chippa are a very good team. They know how to keep the ball‚ they have a very good counterattack.

“They have got very good individual players who can turn things around at any time. It’s not going to be easy‚ especially on their home ground.

“I just feel it’s one of the games where‚ if we go there wanting it more than Chippa‚ then I believe in the team‚ I believe in the squad that we have‚ and that if we are on top of the game on the day we can win," the Zimbabwe international concluded.

Chiefs have tasted success in South Africa's version of the FA Cup on just one single occasion since Nedbank took over sponsoring of the competition 11 years ago; lifting the 2013 title following a 1-0 win over SuperSport United in Durban.