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R8m carrot

HANDS ON: Mamelodi Sundowns captain Michael Manzini, left, and Kaizer Chiefs skipper Jimmy Tau hold the MTN8 trophy after it was unveiled in Johannesburg yesterday. PIC: Veli Nhlapo. 15/09/2008.
HANDS ON: Mamelodi Sundowns captain Michael Manzini, left, and Kaizer Chiefs skipper Jimmy Tau hold the MTN8 trophy after it was unveiled in Johannesburg yesterday. PIC: Veli Nhlapo. 15/09/2008.

Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Mamelodi Sundowns yesterday dangled an R8 million carrot for their players to beat rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 final in Durban on Saturday.

At stake in this final will be the usual pride and prestige, but according to their spokesman Mahlatse Mphahlele, "as per tradition, Mamelodi Sundowns players will share the R8 million if they win the inaugural MTN8 against Kaizer Chiefs".

The competition offers R8 million as the first prize while the rest of the other seven participants will each have to be content with R800000.

This seems to suggest that there will be gnashing of teeth at Durban's Kings Park Stadium, with so much at stake, when the two sides battle it out for the coveted trophy that was unveiled yesterday.

Amakhosi's public relations manager Siyabulela Makunga said the final will be a new ball game because of the high stakes.

"Our pride and dignity are at stake and we're positive and focused. We want to see Amakhosi's name engraved on this trophy and everyone in the team is prepared to fight until the final whistle.

"We don't see the game going into extra time, we're determined to wrap it up in regulation time. We owe this trophy to our supporters as we need to put smiles back on their faces."

He said the competition is referred to as Wafa-Wafa, and "Chiefs have what it takes to be the last man standing when the final whistle goes".

Mphahlele said it was up to the players to bring the trophy to Chloorkop.

"We're determined to go out there and make history because a lot is at stake," said Mphahlele.

"We can't afford to lose this one because not only is money the motivating factor, but our reputation too.

They beat us in the Telkom Cup final and now it is payback time."

Chiefs will have Jose Torrealba back after serving a two-game suspension. He will team up with the in-form Gert Schalkwyk.

The Brazilians have amassed a number of stars but Benedict Vilakazi, a born fighter, is bound to pose problems for Chiefs.

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