IT'S the present against the future: two of the country's best goalkeepers Itumeleng Khune and Ronwen Williams on opposite ends when Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United clash in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup tomorrow.

Khune is South Africa's number one. Also true is that the Matsatsantsa a Pitori's rapidly rising keeper Williams seems sure to fill that gap as soon as Khune departs from the scene. Khune himself concurs.

"Williams is one of the most talented young keepers in the country with a bright future," said the Chiefs skipper yesterday.

"Despite our huge loss against Brazil [when Williams made his Bafana debut], he made several good saves for a youngster playing at that level for the first time."

A confident United's coach Cavin Johnson said:

"This could turn out to be an exciting clash when the number one keeper plays against the future number one.

"The fact that both have been called up for Bafana's game against Australia, tells you what picture should be expected in the near future.

"I am always comfortable with Williams between the poles. He is improving with every game and is prepared for the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

"For me, it's not about beating Chiefs; it's about playing good football and entertaining."

The City of Tshwane side, United, will be without their deadly striker in Mame Niang, who has been booked for an operation.

Meanwhile, Chiefs' medical team are baffled by a mystery injury bugging their leading marksman Knowledge Musona and is causing a gloomy atmosphere in the camp. Scanners could not show the exact injury.

A deeply concerned Stuart Baxter said their doctors are working feverishly and will send the Zimbabwean for more tests to try and establish the problem.

"Medical examination did not show anything," said Baxter.

"We don't know what is wrong and our doctors cannot explain it. But he will still go for more examinations to establish the extent of this mysterious injury and we hope he will be back soon."

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