Jomo Sono will rest some of his key players and give youngsters an opportunity to shine when his club Jomo Cosmos take on Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout last-16 match at Harry Gwala Stadium tomorrow (8pm).

It's clear Sono is more concerned about doing well in the league rather than the knockout competition, with Ezenkosi still without a victory in their first six matches in the Absa Premiership.

Ezen- kosi, who won the Telkom Knockout when it was known as the Coca-Cola Cup in 2002, face a Maritzburg side who are also seeking a first victory.

The two sides played to a goalless draw in the opening week of the season. There has to be a winner this time, but it does not promise to be an enthralling encounter.

"Playing in the cup will take pressure off the players. We are going to rest a lot of players and give the young boys a chance to play. The others need to rest," Sono said.

Cosmos striker Brice Aka said the players are determined to do well in the competition.

"We have already played them this season and we know what to expect. But for me it's not about your opponents, it's about how prepared you are.

"I am sure the players will be hungry because most of the players have not played in this competition before.

"We can compete against any team if we are hungry enough."

Sono, meanwhile, said Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Luyolo Nomandela has been training with the team, despite the club's failure to produce all the necessary papers before the transfer window closed last month.

"We have signed Nomandela. All the papers went in, except the contract between Cosmos and Sundowns. We are working on it and we'll wait to see what happens. He has been training with us for three weeks."