Diski Shield to have new champions

The DStv Diski Shield will have new champions this season.

This comes after the reigning champions Golden Arrows finished outside the top eight last season. Arrows had one of the worst campaigns when they finished in a poor position (13 with 32 points from 30 matches last season).The Diski Shield is an expansion of the DStv Diski Challenge, which returns in a new top-eight knockout format.

In 2019 Arrows won the coveted Diski Shield competition, thanks to a 2-1 victory in the final over Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.

Abafana Bes’thende had a better goal difference than any other team in the 2019 competition as they scored 11 goals in four matches, with Siboniso Conco scoring seven of those goals.

That made them the most successful team in the Diski Challenge as they won two league titles in the 2015/16 and 2018/19 season.

On all three occasions, Arrows were coached by Vusimuzi “Kanu” Vilakazi, who is now coaching the clubs' first team on a permanent basis alongside former player Mabhuti Khenyeza.

In the following two seasons, they could not defend their title as there was no Diski Shield due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

With the tournament back this season, Mamelodi Sundowns, the only team to reach both finals and not win even one as they lost to Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs, would be hoping for a third time lucky this season.

However, their quest for the title will not be easy as they will face Orlando Pirates, who are licking their wounds in the quarterfinal on Saturday at 12h30 CAT.

Pirates were favourites to win the league last season but they slipped in the crucial stages. That saw Stellenbosch FC stealing the show on the final day of the season to win the title.

Without a doubt the Buccaneers would be looking at making up for the lost league title, but they will have to work extra hard as other teams such as SuperSport United, Stellenbosch TS Galaxy and Chiefs who also want to lay their hands in the prestigious Diski Shield title.