The draw for the Nedbank Cup semi-final matches was conducted at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon, shortly after the game between Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars.

The draw did not go according to Leopards´ wishes. According to the Leopards’ assistant coach, Mr Joel Masutha, their wish was to meet Mpumalanga Black Aces in the semi-final stage of the competition. Leopards drew the Vodacom Promotional League side, Baroka FC. Masutha indicated that they wanted to meet Baroka in the final, so that it would be a Limpopo dream final. Baroka are based at Ga-Mphahlele Village outside Polokwane.

Masutha reiterated the fact that they wanted to meet Mpumalanga Black Aces in the semi-final stage, so that they would make Aces pay for what they did to Leopards last season. Mpumalanga Black Aces denied Black Leopards promotion to the premiership division last season, when they beat them in the promotional play-off stage.

Sello Chokoe, the head coach for Baroka, echoed Masutha’s sentiments. Chokoe revealed that they would be pleased to meet either Mpumalanga Black Aces or Orlando Pirates in the semi-final stage and meet Boroka in the final. Baroka have won the home-ground advantage and the match will probably be played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Orlando Pirates drew Mpumalanga Black Aces during the draw. Orlando Pirates, or the “Mighty Buccaneers”, won the home-ground advantage and for that reason the match is likely to be played at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. The matches will be played over the weekend of May 14 and 15. The venues will be confirmed by the league’s competition committee in a few days´ time.

The champions of the competition will become R6 million richer.