Sundowns, Amakhosi set for heated MTN8 semi-final: 'God must be ...

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena and Kaizer Chiefs mentor Molefi Ntseki engaged in a spirited exchange on Thursday, setting the stage for Saturday's MTN8 semi-final first leg clash at FNB Stadium.

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Sparks began to fly when Mokwena took the initiative, making an interesting suggestion that there might be a mysterious benefactor bestowing supernatural luck upon Amakhosi. It was a statement he framed as a compliment.

After his side's 2-1 victory against the Chiefs at Loftus in Pretoria on 9 August, Mokwena shed light on a past statement.

During that post-match press briefing, he recalled warning his players about their 1-0 half-time lead, noting that historically, "Kaizer Chiefs have been a very fortunate team".

Ntseki, however, had a response ready at Thursday's pre-MTN8 semi-finals press conference, which was held at the Premier Soccer League offices.

He argued that the Brazilians, too, have experienced their fair share of what's colloquially referred to as "benefits" in South African football.

This term signifies that certain decisions and circumstances have consistently favoured a particular team, and Ntseki used it to underscore the Brazilians' remarkable achievement of winning the DStv Premiership for six consecutive years.

Mokwena hinted that his comments about Chiefs being "lucky" might have been misunderstood or taken out of context.

"If you put it a bit into perspective, you go back to the statement I made and I know somebody is waiting for a headline," the 'Downs coach said.

"Somebody is waiting for a statement that they can misuse like the statement I made that 'Kaizer Chiefs are a very lucky team'.

"People took that statement and ran with it but my goodness I wish someone could say I was a lucky person.

"When someone says you are lucky, they are saying there is a divinity and God's hand falls in your favour.

"Imagine someone says that you are chosen by God, but people want to misconstrue it.

"And I can tell you with 100% certainty that as a kid growing up in Orlando West I experienced so many games of Pirates against Chiefs. And I would understand the feeling people [had] when Chiefs won.

"I would understand the feeling of how many games [where] you just saw God's divine hands falling upon Kaizer Chiefs. And it is very true, God must be a Kaizer Chiefs supporter.

"And there is no greater compliment that could be given. You guys (the media) laugh and I am very serious. We are playing against a very good and well coached team."

When probed about the perception of Chiefs' luck, Ntseki didn't hesitate to respond with a verbal jab of his own.

"When you have the belief and faith, luck will be on your side and I think they (Sundowns) have benefited a lot if you look at the six years of winning the league. There were moments where they were very lucky.

"At the time when Chiefs was winning it was very normal that things at times turn out for you and if we can have that luck we would be winning the league this year and trophies."

Saturday's game will kick off at 15:00.

Meanwhile, following the upcoming FIFA international break, the second leg of the semi-final is scheduled to take place at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 23 September.