Final is about more than cup - Gould's or Teko's day?
TOMORROW'S epic Nedbank Cup final between Mamelodi Sundowns and their rivals SuperSport United can perhaps be simply described as the battle for supremacy in Tshwane.
ON MISSION: Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Teko Modise
PARTING SHOT
: SuperSport defender Morgan Gould
It will give me absolute joy to lift the trophy, but with cup games you never know how it will turn out
The champions will be crowned in Soweto, though, with the final being played at the Orlando Stadium, starting at 3pm.
However, the venue will not be of any relevance when these two sides meet, though Sundowns did try to have the match moved to Tshwane but later withdrew their appeal from the Premier Soccer League.
Sundowns and United have each had dominant spells during the PSL era, winning eight Premierships (five for the Brazilians) between them since 1996.
But the two teams have never faced off in a cup final in their major years in the Premier League to also extend their authority to cup competitions.
Downs' coach Johan Neeskens, who is in his first season with the club, is renowned for having achieved greatness as a player and partly as a manager. Tomorrow he leads a number of Sundowns players who have underachieved in the past few years, their last cup glory coming in the 2008 when they won the Nedbank Cup in its inaugural year.
The disappointment of their implosion in the second half of the season still lingers.
Gavin Hunt and his charges at United, on the other hand, have recently tasted success with the 2010 Premier League title, but this is their first cup final under the coach, who took over from Bafana's Pitso Mosimane in 2007.
Morgan Gould said the United players were still pinching themselves having reached a final after so many seasons of being knocked out in the early rounds.
The United skipper will also be playing his last game for the club, with a move to Kaizer Chiefs almost certain. "We've got a lot of average players in this team. We are not a star-studded side, but we work hard to make up for that and credit to Gavin Hunt for that," said Gould.
"It will give me absolute joy to lift the trophy, but with cup games you never know how it will turn out."
Gould's Bafana teammate Teko Modise, the Sundowns skipper, has never won a cup final in top flight football.
Modise said he wanted "legendary status" at Sundowns, and lifting the cup tomorrow as captain would earn him that.
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Domkopp
Soweto this and Soweto that!!! Why would the finale be held where there are no PTA supporters? I doubt if Orlando will be packed.Report Abuse
McLoving
It's going to be a cracker.Both teams are determined to win something for their fans this season,especially Sundowns who held the top spot on the league for such a long period ,only to fumble at the last hurdle.Let the best team on the day win,,let football be the winner,,let's go there guys and support football.Wish you guys all the best
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Dieheart
@ DomkoppSoweto this and Soweto that!!! Why would the finale be held where there are no PTA supporters? I doubt if Orlando will be packed.
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Last night on Robert Marawa's Thursday Night Live it was reported that there were only 6000 tickets left. So don't worry there will be sizeable crowd attending.
By the way, best of luck to Bafana ba staele.
DTC
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funo
I am expecting a fast pace football from sundowns,i know that Hunt"s boys will be defending deep wanting to catch sundowns on the break. But lets all go there and support football.My money is on the Motsepe's boysReport Abuse
Buc4life
McLovingMorning Champ. who do u think will walk away with trophy? my money is on Supersport. Gould at the back, and Kermit in front, I see them winning.
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YNOTY
Matsatsantsa will take it home...hardy T. Modise!!!You will regret the day u left the Champzzzz
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Femi
PSL is like Jacob Zuma, He took the Sharpeville day to Kliptown now they take the Tshwane derby to Orlando.Report Abuse
Mr_President
As much as i would like "Domkops" to win it because of Gavin "Mamponabona AKA Makomkom" Hunt 's rotten big mouth, it goes without saying that Tekoloshe is a curse and for that alone, Zion FC might cause an upset. MxmUp the DTC
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PHUMA_LANGA_SIKOTHE
Helloooooooo to all DTCThey'll always be only one derby in Mzansi, this is one of the most boring cup finals I 've ever heard of. No vibe, atmosphere just luke warm but I guess on the field both teams will want to prove a thing or 2
anyway will support the beautiful game, may the best team win kwesika Maminzela isgodi nogal
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LeeuKo
All you lousy Haters out there, be assured that this one will be in the Downs bag 2mmorrow @ 17H00,Bafana ba style will wrap it up in 90 min...Report Abuse
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