Diski Challenge road to the semis

SuperSport United, University of Pretoria, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Mamelodi Sundowns are the four remaining sides after the epic MultiChoice Diski Challenge quaterfinals clashes.

They will contest the semifinals this Sunday at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Although the four teams will be at the Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto on the tournament's finale, they will all prefer to be there as finalists and not to play the 3rd place play-off.

Tuks and SuperSport will meet in the first semifinal at 10am. The second semifinal between Aces and Sundowns will follow at 12pm.

supersport.com looks at the clubs' journey to the semifinals.

SuperSport United

SuperSport edged Platinum Stars 2-0 in the quarterfinals clash that was played at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban. Ryan Chapman opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, heading Zama Rambuwane's cross into the back of the net. Zakhele Mgobhozi increased the lead with another header when he connected with Rambuwane's free kick. They could won by a bigger margin had the converted their numerous chances in the second half.

Group stage results: United 0-1 Polokwane, Chiefs 1-1 United, Maritzburg 0-2 United, Tuks 0-1 United, Ajax 2-1 United, Celtic 1-2 United, United 3-0 Swallows.

Group stage record: P7 W4 D1 L2 DF10 GA5 GD5 Pts13
Position: 2 (Group A)

University of Pretoria

Tuks fought back after trailing from a first-minute Letsie Koapeng's goal to win their match against Orlando Pirates 5-2. Khethukuthula Zwane equalised with an emphatic finish after 25 minutes as they teams went to halftime tied 1-1. Botshelo Mfulwane tapped in Denver Mukamba's cross seven minutes after the break to give Tuks the lead. Minutes later Mpho Maruping headed in the third and Mukamba added the fourth with a well-taken strike from outside the box. Thabo Rakhale reduced the deficit to 4-2, six minutes from time. Tuks were then awarded a penalty in added time, which was converted by Mukamba to complete his brace.

Group stage results: Celtic 0-0 Tuks, Tuks 2-1 Maritzburg, Swallows 0-2 Tuks, Tuks 0-1 United, Polokwane 3-2 Tuks, Ajax 0-0 Tuks, Tuks 3-1 Chiefs.

Group stage record: P7 W3 D2 L2 GF9 GA6 GD3 Pts11
Position: 4 (Group A)

Mpumalanga Black Aces

Aces went to their encounter against Bloemfontein Celtic as underdogs but they looked rejuvenated and frustrated their opponents throughout the 90 minutes. While both sides got a fair share of goal scoring opportunities, they went to the break still deadlocked. Aces upped the tempo with the introduction of the experienced Aubrey Ngoma and the young James Bell. Striker Judas Moseamedi and winger Thabo Nodada had a number of chances but they failed to capitalise. They finally got the winner when Moseamedi hit the post and the ball came off Enoch Phungulwa's leg for an own goal.

Group stage results: Chippa 2-3 Aces, Aces 3-3 Wits, Platinum 1-3 Aces, Pirates 1-0 Aces, Aces 1-1 FS Stars, Sundowns 3-0 Aces, Aces 3-1 AmaZulu.

Group stage record: P7 W3 D2 L2 GF13 GA12 GD1 Pts11
Position: 4 (Group B)

Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns clinched their place in the semifinals after beating the high-scoring Polokwane City 2-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium. The Brazilians' game plan worked well as they managed to keep City's creative-midfielder Sibusiso Msibi quiet while also benefitting from Percy Tau's offensive runs. They took the lead in the 27th minute through debutant Katlego Babile's brilliant free kick. Their second goal came courtesy of another debutant Tshepo Ntlaba, who finished emphatically from inside the box.

Group stage results: Sundowns 2-1 FS Stars, Platinum 0-0 Sundowns, AmaZulu 1-2 Sundowns, Sundowns 2-0 Chippa, Wits 1-1 Sundowns, Sundowns 3-0 Aces, Pirates 4-0 Sundowns.

Group stage record: P7 W4 D2 L1 GF10 GA7 GD3 Pts14
Position: 2 (Group B)

The semifinalists will be meeting for the second time in the competition. SuperSport narrowly edged Tuks 1-0 with Thabani Mthembu scoring from a spotkick. Sundowns convincingly won their clash against Aces as a brace from Tebogo Reed and Ntandeyenkosi Ngubane's strike handed them a 3-0 victory.