Ahead of the MTN8 semi-finals at the weekend, DYLAN APPOLIS has profiled five players who could potentially play a commanding role in helping their teams reach the final.

The MTN8 first-leg semi-final will get under way this weekend in two mouth-watering fixtures which will see Cape Town City welcome Mamelodi Sundowns to the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday with kick-off set for 3pm.

The Citizens came the closest to winning their maiden top eight trophy in 2017 when they lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout while Sundowns are yet to add the MTN8 trophy to their cabinet.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs will travel to the Lucas Moripe Stadium the next day at 3pm when they tussle with SuperSport United.

The Glamour Boys will be hoping to end their three-year trophy drought by claiming glory with the first piece of silverware on offer this season while Matsatsantsa will look to defend their title under new coach Kaitano Tembo.

Here is the list of top players to watch in the semi-finals:

1. Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns) 

The Uruguayan is the ideal man to fill the void left by Khama Billiat and Percy Tau, who have since joined Kaizer Chiefs and Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. respectively. (Tau loaned to Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise)

The 27-yeqar-old has already proven to be a threat to opposition after grabbing an assist in Masandawana’s quarter-final victory over Golden Arrows. If his trickery on the ball and vision can come together more often for Sundowns then life after Billiat and Tau shouldn’t prove to be too much of a problem.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane had this to say about Sirino: ‘He has to carry the team on his tiny shoulders because Percy and Khama are gone. He is growing in confidence and he is slowly adjusting to the way we play. We have been waiting for someone to carry the team and he is raising his hand.

‘He is going to be our star who will run the show for us this season. I hope he carries the team; he is capable of doing that and he can win the Champions League for us.’

2. Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs)

The Zimbabwe international shocked many when he opted to join Amakhosi from Sundowns after deciding against signing a new contract at Chloorkop.

Billiat is no stranger to South African football following his successful five-year trophy-laden spell at Sundowns, but he faces a different challenge altogether after making the move to Naturena. Amakhosi have not won a trophy in three years and the expectation is that Billiat will be the one to lead the team to silverware.

The 27-year-old looks to have carried that same hunger and desire into his tenure at his new club and has already been an influential figure in the Chiefs squad, having scored a goal in the competition to help Amakhosi reach the semi-final.

Billiat has already gained an admirer in new head coach Giovanni Solinas, who said: ‘For me, he is an amazing player.

‘A top player, in my opinion, and I don’t want this to be misunderstood as disrespect for other players, he is the best player in the league, the best striker.’

3. Evans Rusike (SuperSport United)

As into Say something about him initially joining the team (during a difficult period, or midseason) – Basically didn’t find his gears at first but now he seems to be thriving.

Rusike is definitely one player to watch after scoring one goal and assisting another to help his side reach the semi-finals following their 6-5 win on penalties against Orlando Pirates.

Having scored three goals from four appearances in all competitions, the Zimbabwean international is showing signs of his previous form which saw him net 21 goals in 80 appearances for Maritzburg United before making the switch to SuperSport.

‘Last season, I didn’t do much, and I’m hoping to do much better this season, like to create scoring opportunities and scoring goals,’ Rusike said.

‘It’s always good to have a learning path. Now I know how it is playing for the team.’

4. Siphelele Ntshangase (Kaizer Chiefs) 

The 25-year-old showed glimpses of his brilliance during Amakhosi’s 3-0 win over Free State Stars in the quarter-finals at the FNB Stadium, creating his side’s first two goals.

With the former Sundowns duo of Billiat and Leonardo Castro filling the deep striker, playmaker and centre-forward roles‚ Solinas has deployed Ntshangase as a deep-lying playmaker just in front of defensive midfielder Willard Katsande.

‘I know Ntshangase is a No 10. He’s an offensive midfielder. But me‚ I want to convert this player into a midfielder‚ playing close to Katsande,’ Solinas said.

‘But I hope this player understands the role and improves in it. Because in my opinion, Ntshangase has the quality to play as a midfielder.’

Chiefs’ dismal start in the Absa Premiership has indicated that marquee signing Billiat won’t be able to do it on his own, with the man known as Stash needing to play his part. in delivering those champagne passes that he promised the Amakhosi faithful.

5. Thabo Nodada (Cape Town City) 

Nodada won the Man of the Match award in a tighly-contested quarter-final win against Maritzburg. The current Citizens Player of the Year is heralded for his high work rate and his ability to both attack and defend equally well.

The industrious midfielder willplay a vital role in keeping the City midfield solid when they take on a start-studded Sundowns in their first-leg semi-final at home.

‘This time around, we are taking it one step at a time. We are not too excited. We’ve still got the semi-final to play and once we get past that then we can think about the final,’ Nodada said.

‘Definitely, we were disappointed that we lost in the cup final and now we are looking at winning it.’

MTN8 semi-final fixtures: 

Cape Town City vs Mamelodi Sundowns – 3pm

SuperSport United vs Kaizer Chiefs – 3pm

Photo: Gallo Images