This is the first meeting between the teams in the MTN8 in the PSL era, this is their first clash in this competition since 1994.
The last meeting in this competition between the teams was in the semifinals in 1994 a game won 2-1 by Chiefs, enroute to lifting the trophy.
In the PSL era this is the third cup meeting between the teams both their previous clashes were in the Telkom Knockout, Chiefs defeating AmaZulu in both games which were last 16 clashes, winning in 2010-11, a 2-0 win away in Durban. Abia Nale and Reneilwe Letsholonyane scoring in that game in 2010-11 late in first half, Chiefs also won at home in the side 2017-18 this time 3-0, with George Maluleka, Hendrik Eksteen and Siphiwe Tshabalala.
In their two PSL era cup clashes Chiefs have scored a combined five goals without conceding any.
Chiefs after defeating AmaZulu in the 2010-11 Telkom Knockout last 16 went onto lift the trophy, they also went onto win the 1994 BP Top8 when overcoming AmaZulu in the Semi-finals defeating Sundowns in the final.
The rivalry in this competition between Chiefs and AmaZulu goes back to 1976 when they met in the final of the competition, known back then as the BP Top 32. Chiefs won the first leg away from home 3-1 and followed it up with a 5-1 home win in the second leg for an 8-2 aggregate triumph. These games taking place almost 46 years ago, on the 16th and 18th December 1976.
Given that the 2022-23 season is the 21st campaign that the teams are competing in together in the topflight of South African football, it is a surprise that this is only their third cup clash.
KAIZER CHIEFS
Kaizer Chiefs are the most successful club in the MTN8 tournament since the start of the competition they have appeared in more finals than any other team (21).
Kaizer Chiefs are record 15 times MTN8 winners and have been runners up on six more occasions.
Of all the current domestic competitions still in play the MTN8 is the one that Chiefs have won the most.
Chiefs last won the MTN8 tournament in 2014-15 defeating Orlando Pirates in the final 1-0.
Chiefs were last in the MTN8 final in 2015-16 losing to Ajax Cape Town in the final.
Chiefs won the first of their 15 MTN8 title in 1973.
Current Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane as a Chiefs player won three MTN8 titles in 2001-02, 2006-07 and 2008-09. Each one of his wins was with the tournament having a different name, in 2001-02 it was the BP Top8, while in 2006-07 it was called SAA Supa8 and in 2008-09 it was the first year the tournament was known as the MTN8.
Since 2000-01 when the MTN8 was introduced in the PSL Era this will be Chiefs 15th MTN8 Semifinals.
Including wins and losses on penalties and away goals Chiefs record in MTN8 semifinals reads P14 W8 L6.
Chiefs have lost their last two MTN8 semifinals in 2018-19 and 2020-21 the latter being a 5-0 aggregate defeat to Orlando Pirates, while before that they lost to SuperSport United in 2018-19. Chiefs also lost MTN semifinals in 2000-01, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2013-14 in the PSL era.
Of the six PSL era semifinals in the MTN8 that Chiefs have lost three in 2010-11, 2013-14, and 2020-21 have all been against Orlando Pirates. They have lost two semifinals to Ajax Cape Town in 2000-01 and 2009-10 and one in 2018-19 to SuperSport United.
Chiefs have progressed beyond the semifinals in to the final of the MT 8 in the PSL Era eight times previously in 2001-02, 2004-05, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2014-15 and 2015-16.
This is the 14th edition since 2008-09 that the semifinals are being contested over two legs it is the 10th time that Chiefs are in the last four, in this time they only missed out on the last four in 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2021-22.
Chiefs have progressed to the final from two legged semifinals in the MTN 8 in 2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15 and 2015-16, they have failed to do so in 2009-10, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2018-19 and most recently in 2020-21.
Chiefs record in the home leg of an MTN 8 semifinal since 2008-09 reads P9 W3 D2 L4.
Chiefs since 2008-09 have previously kicked off two legged MTN 8 semi-final ties at home in 2008-09, defeating Moroka Swallows and winning the tie 2-1 on aggregate. In 2011-12 they drew 0-0 with Ajax at home in the first leg and drew the second 1-1 away from home to progress on away goals, on both previous occasions when they started an MTN 8 semifinal campaign at home in 2008-09 and 2011-12 Chiefs have progressed to the final.
Chiefs have won the home leg of an MTN 8 final three times against Moroka Swallows in the first leg in 2008-09 winning 2-0, they defeated Platinum Stars 3-0 at home in the second leg for a 5-0 aggregate win in 2014-15 and overcame Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in the second leg in 2015-16 for a 2-1 aggregate win.
Chiefs two home draws since 2008-09 in MTN 8 semifinals saw them play out a 3-3 draw against Ajax in the second leg in 2009-10 which resulted in the game ending 4-4 on aggregate which saw Chiefs eliminated on away goals. They also drew 0-0 with Ajax in the first leg in 2011-12 but then drew 1-1 away from home in the second to progress to the final.
At home in two legged MTN 8 ties Chiefs have lost four times against Orlando Pirates in 2010-11 which was the second leg of that tie which ended in a 2-1 aggregate defeat, they also lost to Pirates in the first leg at home in 2013-14 another 2-1 aggregate loss and the second leg at home in 2020-21 going down 2-0 after a 3-0 first leg loss. Their other loss in the home leg of the semifinals was a 1-0 loss to SuperSport in the second leg in 2018-19.
AmaZulu are looking to end a forty- four year wait and reach their first MTN 8 final since ending as runners up to Chiefs in 1976.
AmaZulu reached their first MTN 8 semifinal in 12 years by defeating Cape Town City 2-1 away from home in the Quarterfinals, they needed extra time to see off the Citizens. Despite taking the lead early through Augustine Kwem, they were pegged back when City equalized on the stroke of halftime through Khanyisa Mayo. AmaZulu won the game in injury time with Lehlohonolo Majoro scoring a 113th minute winner.
In its current format of a two- legged semifinal this is only AmaZulu’s second appearance in the last four along with 2009-10.
AmaZulu are competing in the MTN 8 tournament in the PSL Era for a fourth time they were eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2012-13 and 2021-22, they were semifinalists in 2009-10.
AmaZulu’s only previous MTN 8 two- legged semifinal in 2009-10 saw them take on fellow Kwa Zulu Natal rivals Golden Arrows, they lost the home first leg 2-1 they then lost the away second leg 2-0 for a 4-1 aggregate loss. Arrows would go onto defeat Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in the final.