Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns are set to serve up another classic when they clash in the Carling Knockout quarter-final at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday.
It is the second time in a month that the two sides clash after Sundowns secured a controversial 2-1 victory at the end of September in their PSL meeting.
The glamour tie will be won by how both teams set up and ahead of the meeting, Afrik-Foot looks at the key battles expected.
Ranga Chivaviro vs Grant Kekana
Ranga Chivaviro was on target in September when the two teams met and he will likely lead the line for Chiefs again on Saturday.
That will make him enemy number one for Grant Kekana as the Sundowns defender looks to avoid the mistake that allowed him through on goal last time they met.
Chivaviro has already scored three goals in six games this season and given his pace and physicality, Kekana will have to be at his best to contain him.
Miguel Inacio vs Iqraam Rayners
While Kekana will be watching over Chivaviro, his opposite number Inacio Miguel will have an eye on Sundowns forward Iqraam Ryaners.
Like Chivaviro, Rayners was also on target in the September clash, having escaped the Angolan to score Sundowns’ winning goal.
It will be a major physical battle between the two as both are big and tall, making it a joy to watch for the fans.
Chiefs are glad that Miguel’s suspension came against Magesi as he will be available for the big match at the FNB where Rayners is among Sundowns’ dangermen.
Gaston Sirino vs Teboho Mokoena
Midfield is where the game will likely be won and it does not get any better than a battle between Teboho Mokoena and Gaston Sirino.
Simply put, it will be about brain and brawl as the Chiefs playmaker seeks to dictate proceedings either from the No.10 position or coming in from a wide position.
Sirino has been a revelation since signing for Chiefs, leaving fans wondering why Sundowns allowed him to leave for free, as he has managed four assists and two goals in six games.
The Uruguayan attacker has been pulling the strings for Chiefs, creating loads of chances for his team-mates, and Mokoena, who knows him well from their Sundowns days, will be the man tasked with cutting the supply.
Yusuf Maart vs Lucas Ribeiro Costa
Lucas Ribeiro Costa is Sundowns’ answer to Sirino at Chiefs and the Brazilian attacker keeps showing why the PSL champions rate him so highly.
Costa is a menace for opposing teams given he can play across the front three while he is even more comfortable operating just behind the striker.
His playmaking skills will need someone tracking him and ensuring his clever balls do not reach their targets and that will likely fall to Chiefs’ captain Yusuf Maart.
With Edson Castillo injured, coach Nasreddine Nabi has been robbed of another workaholic in midfield, leaving Maart with the difficult task of watching after the Sundowns’ dangermen but few will cause more problems than Costa, who has six goals and three assists this term.
Bradley Cross vs Khuliso Mudau
One interesting battle to look out for will be on the left wing of Chiefs’ attack where left-back Bradley Cross likes to make a lot of forward runs.
It is the same modus operandi for Sundowns right-back Khuliso Mudau who is among his team’s chief creators, with a goal and assist already, despite his limited opportunities.
It will be interesting to see which of the two full-back leaves a lot of space behind, an area where either team can use to punish the opponent.
Mudau has recently been integrated into the side, having been overlooked for a long time by coach Manqoba Mngqithi, and he is back just in time for the major test, while Cross has been a regular since joining Chiefs from Golden Arrows in the off-season.
