LEAGUE champions Mamelodi Sundowns will be the star attraction for the Cape Town Challenge tomorrow, where they meet Moroka Swallows, while hosts Ajax Cape Town take on Bidvest Wits in the opening game.

But a complete absence of any pre-tournament publicity in the Mother City means the event might turn out to be a dud.

Ajax and Wits meet in the first semifinals at 6pm, followed by Sundowns' clash against Swallows at 8pm.

The Brazilians, who have signed a number of new players such as Luyolo Nomandela and Bongi Ntuli, hammered Swallows 5-0 in the Gauteng Challenge in Atteridgeville last Saturday.

On Sunday, the Birds will take on Wits at 12.30pm, followed by a match between the Urban Warriors and Sundowns.

The competition will be decided on points awarded for goals scored.

Although this is a marketing gimmick to allegedly encourage attacking football, the tournament will really be about offering the four sides a last chance at experimenting with new combinations, trying out recent acquisitions or trialists and doing tactical work.

Plus it also offers important match practice as the start of the season looms.

Sundowns and the Clever Boys begin their campaigns on the opening weekend in the quarterfinals of the lucrative MTN8, but Ajax and Swallows must wait a further week before they are officially back in action.