Johannesburg-based Kaizer Chiefs have “Warriors” leftback, Onismor Bhasera and midfield general, Tinsahe Nengomasha, while Sundowns, who are based in Tshwane, boast the services of hardman, Esrom Nyandoro.
The two giants of South African football go into this battle with contrasting league fortunes.
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Chiefs have conceded five goals and scored only three on their way to losing their fist two league matches, while
Sundowns, whose second fixture against Amazulu last weekend was cancelled after the latter tragically lost a player, began their season with a 1-0 win over Blomfontein Celtic.
However, Muhsin Etugral, the chiefs’ coach, is a well-known schemer in cup competitions and Sundowns can only underrate the Naturena-based side at their own peril.
Chiefs welcome back their chief striker, Jose Torealba, who has missed league action so far due to suspension. The little Venezuelan has struck a terrific combination with Gert Schalwyk, and together they have torn opposition defenders apart.
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Torealba uses his intelligent off the ball runs to create space for his fellow strikers and Schalwyk has often done justice to that, scoring eight goals in pre-season tournaments.
Bhasera, with his overlapping runs on the left, is also likely to be a thorn in the flesh for Sundowns, while Nengomasha and Nyandoro will try and stabilise the fierce midfield battle for their teams.
On the other hand, Sundowns are likely to field Collins Mbesuma for the first time since he joined them. When on song, the bulky Zambian international can cause serious problems for his opponents with his shielding of the ball and shooting prowess.
The Cup winner is set to pocket R8 million, while the losing finalist will, together with other participants who exited in the early stages, get R800 000 participation fee in the tournament dubbed Wafa Wafa–CAJ News.