Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will clash in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday with both sides in with a chance to lift a trophy.
In what is the third Soweto Derby of the season, and the second one in a week, both sides want to lay their hands on the trophy, raising the stakes even higher.
Pirates, who have won the other two meetings, are out to assert their dominance as Chiefs look not just to end the bad run but also end their 10-year wait for a trophy.
Ahead of the clash, here are some of the key things to look out for.
Riveiro looking to sign off with a trophy
This is the final Soweto Derby for Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, who will leave at the end of the season, following three successful years at Orlando Stadium.
Riveiro has already won five trophies, three MTNs and two Nedbank Cups, and with the PSL all but gone, the Spanish tactician will want to sign off with another piece of silverware and also become the first coach to win three straight titles.
Nabi out to silence his doubters
Meanwhile, while Riveiro is looking for his sixth trophy in three years, his Chiefs counterpart Nasreddine Nabi is eyeing his first in his maiden season at Naturena.
Nabi has endured a poor season with Chiefs lying ninth on the league table, which has raised doubts about his suitability, but he can silence his critics by orchestrating a cup final win, ending Chiefs’ 10-year drought.
Will Duba torment Pirates defence?
Nabi will be boosted by the return of Miguel Inacio and Thabo Cele but the veteran tactician will be more thankful that young forward Wandile Duba is back after serving his one-game suspension.
Duba is Chiefs’ top scorer this season but offers more with his running behind the defence and on the counter-attacks set to give the Pirates backline a problem, especially Thapelo Xoki, whose lack of pace was there for everyone to see last weekend.
Another cup final goal for Rele?
While Nabi counts on Duba, Riveiro already has a weapon that has proved lethal in big matches, including cup finals.
Relebohile Mofokeng was the match winner in last season’s Nedbank Cup final and also orchestrated the comeback win against Stellenbosch in this season’s MTN8 final.
Rele has delivered in big matches, including in the two Soweto derbies this season, having won the penalty in the first leg before scoring the winner last weekend, and few will be surprised if he rises to the occasion again.
Soweto Derby record in sight for Riveiro
For Pirates coach Riveiro, the cup final gives him a chance to extend his great run against Chiefs which will set a new record.
Riveiro has already played eight Soweto derbies and won five, which saw him draw level with Stuart Baxter as the coaches with the most Soweto Derby wins, but he has a chance to set a new record if he wins on Saturday as he will be out there on his own with six victories over Chiefs.
