However, the final will not be decided after these two matches because the format involves a two-legged affair.

Sundowns will first host Swallows at Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow at 8.15pm, while United welcome the Buccaneers to Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.

The fixtures are then reversed next weekend, where the two finalists will be confirmed.

All four coaches - Johan Neeskens of Sundowns, Zeca Marques of Swallows, United's Gavin Hunt and Augusto Palacios of Pirates - agree the Top 8 is a quick way to claim silverware during a demanding season. "You only play three games and you are in the final. It's definitely the easiest way to win a cup this season," said Marques.

He said earlier this week that he wanted to be a "success" at Swallows. He was joined by Neeskens, who boldly stated he would step down from his post at Sundowns if he failed to win any cup this season.

Neeskens knows all too well the disappointment of bowing out in the semifinals following the previous campaign's 4-3 aggregate defeat to Pirates.

The Downs coach has assessed the Dube Birds and would like his side - even though they are unlikely to achieve a demolition as impressive as their 4-1 quarterfinal rout over Kaizer Chiefs - to have little to do in the second leg.

"Swallows finished as runners-up last season, and they would obviously have ambitions to win something this year. We also want the same. Everybody grabbed their chances last season, and it's time for us to grab ours in these two games," said Neeskens.

The pressure is then on Pirates to retain the cup, and while they have always had it tough coming up against United, completing a league double over Matsatsantsa last season has given them the advantage.

"SuperSport have a balanced team, one of the few clubs in the PSL that can boast about that. But I think we have the winning mentality that is rare in other teams. We fight until the end," said Palacios.

He remains worried that despite winning their Top 8 clash against Bloemfontein Celtic (with a controversial late penalty by Andile Jali), Pirates continue to concede early goals.

Pirates will once again look up to Jali to win, while Swallows will bank their hopes on veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe.

Teko Modise's experience will be vital for Sundowns, and Sibusiso Zuma's resurgence should come in handy for Matsatsantsa a Pitori.

Comments

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Sun May 19 17:03:48 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 17, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

May the best team win
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Aug 17, 2012

Zane10

The easiest cup indeed... Good luck to my team!!!

AMABHAKANIYA AJABULILE...
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Aug 17, 2012

JayV

UP THE BUCS

we will keep our CUP
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Aug 17, 2012

Gusheshe

This one is ours Dark or Blue, Blue or Dark. Eix there was this old man when i was growing up he used to say that and they named him Dark or Blue
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Aug 17, 2012

Mhungumbye

Easy, easy, easy, that's the reason why we want to make it 3 times in a row but u must watch out this easy word does not apply to every team.
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Aug 17, 2012

Dieheart

''He was joined by Neeskens, who boldly stated he would step down from his post at Sundowns if he failed to win any cup this season.''
______________________________________________________________________________________

We will help you step down ''Whisky'' long before the supporters of sundunusa decide to attack you.

C Thug i remain!

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Aug 17, 2012

Kabelo10

Our Coach (Neskeens) is pressurising himself, but il support him through the way. It takes a real coach with confidence to say that. Goodluck coach
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Aug 17, 2012

maftowncity

SSU-Bucs will leave us dazzled...and Gavin,as always,will have something on his mind. I suspect h will try to build a quick "C*hinese wall" to frustrate us, and catch Bucs on the counter to take the game home...

And this is where Bucs need that quick striker,who will be there and use that spl*it-ten-second chance and plunge the spear through the heart of their defense,otherwise Bucs have to go for the wh*ole nine yards and give SSU something to worry at the second leg..

Only the team that will take its chances will emerge victorious..

.......Re tla dula re thabile......ka dinako tsohle.."
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Aug 17, 2012

Gusheshe

@maftowncity

You have come out of the closet and declare the team you support very interesting i was wondering all along.
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Aug 17, 2012

Mygirl

Mxmmm....easy one Mabhakajuju


RE JA JOY NET:
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