THE Telkom Knockout dress rehearsal last weekend between Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic didn't even come close to the teaser everyone expected ahead of tomorrow night's cup final.
With key players rested in a Premier League match between the two sides to avoid injuries or suspensions, the anticipation for the clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium was watered down or heightened. Depends how you look at it.
Sundowns narrowly won the game 1-0 using mostly fringe players. Celtic will strengthen their line-up tomorrow, and so will Downs. Fans are in for some key battles on the pitch, with the following the ones to look out for.
Alje Schut vs Lennox Bacela
Schut started for Downs in the league match to keep it tight at the back despite several changes made by coach Johan Neeskens, but Bacela came off the bench in the second half. The striker sparked some life into the Celtic attack and came close with a few attempts. Could be a long night for Schut if Bacela has his scoring boots on.
Teko Modise vs John Arwuah
A lot has already been said about Modise's desperation to win a cup final in his 11 years in top-flight football. The skipper will want to prove he can lead his charges. However, Arwuah can easily eliminate him if he ruffles him up in the opening stages of this encounter.
Punch Masenamela vs Joel Mogorosi
Masenamela has got a score to settle here. The burly Mogorosi made a mockery of the left-back's defending when the two faced off in a World Cup qualifier between Bafana and Botswana in June.
Masenamela was substituted as a result, so he will want to silence Mogorosi in a game of this magnitude. Mogorosi is often a super-sub for Celtic, making an impact when he comes on.
Eleazar Rodgers vs Thabo Nthete
Nthete, the Celtic skipper, will be tasked with taking care of Downs' leading scorer in this tournament. Sundowns haven't quite played to Rodgers's strengths - especially his his prowess in the air - much, but it being a cup final, they might try all avenues to end their trophy drought. Nthete has proven aerial defensive abilities to nullify this threat on the night.
Key match-ups in Telkom KO final
THE Telkom Knockout dress rehearsal last weekend between Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic didn't even come close to the teaser everyone expected ahead of tomorrow night's cup final.
With key players rested in a Premier League match between the two sides to avoid injuries or suspensions, the anticipation for the clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium was watered down or heightened. Depends how you look at it.
Sundowns narrowly won the game 1-0 using mostly fringe players. Celtic will strengthen their line-up tomorrow, and so will Downs. Fans are in for some key battles on the pitch, with the following the ones to look out for.
Alje Schut vs Lennox Bacela
Schut started for Downs in the league match to keep it tight at the back despite several changes made by coach Johan Neeskens, but Bacela came off the bench in the second half. The striker sparked some life into the Celtic attack and came close with a few attempts. Could be a long night for Schut if Bacela has his scoring boots on.
Teko Modise vs John Arwuah
A lot has already been said about Modise's desperation to win a cup final in his 11 years in top-flight football. The skipper will want to prove he can lead his charges. However, Arwuah can easily eliminate him if he ruffles him up in the opening stages of this encounter.
Punch Masenamela vs Joel Mogorosi
Masenamela has got a score to settle here. The burly Mogorosi made a mockery of the left-back's defending when the two faced off in a World Cup qualifier between Bafana and Botswana in June.
Masenamela was substituted as a result, so he will want to silence Mogorosi in a game of this magnitude. Mogorosi is often a super-sub for Celtic, making an impact when he comes on.
Eleazar Rodgers vs Thabo Nthete
Nthete, the Celtic skipper, will be tasked with taking care of Downs' leading scorer in this tournament. Sundowns haven't quite played to Rodgers's strengths - especially his his prowess in the air - much, but it being a cup final, they might try all avenues to end their trophy drought. Nthete has proven aerial defensive abilities to nullify this threat on the night.
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