After Sundowns’ goalless draw against Wits University last week Friday and Pirates’ emphatic 2-1 victory against their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, the supporters of both these teams are in for a pulsating encounter on Sunday in the Coca-Cola Cup.
For Pirates, this is a hoodoo cup, as they have never managed to go beyond the last 16 stages of the tournament since its reinstatement in 2001.
Sundowns have only reached the semifinal stage once, and twice fell in the last-16 stage, but in their midst is a player who has played in three consecutive finals in this tournament and twice walked away with the winners’ trophy: Brian ”Spider-Man” Baloyi.
A fascinating duel looms between Baloyi and Pirates’ diminutive young midfielder-cum-striker Benedict Vilakazi — who scored the decisive goal against Chiefs via a header in the dying minutes of the game, sinking any hopes the Chiefs’ faithful had for a tie.
On Sunday, Baloyi will need to be at his best — not just against Vilakazi, but also against a young team of players who seem to be on a high after scoring several goals in the league.
The array of firepower in the Pirates ship includes the likes of Steve Lekoelea, Tyron Arendse, Gift Leremi and Phumuduzo Manenzhe.
While these youngsters continue to make waves at Buccaneers, Sundowns have the more experienced players in their striker, Peter Ndlovu, as well as Josta Dladla, Lucas Sebona, Rotson Kilambe and Surprise Moriri. These Sundowns players will need to exploit the Pirates defence, which at times looks porous.
After the Coca-Cola Cup game, Sundowns will meet Pirates again the following week in a league game at the same venue. If the first game between the two teams does not live up to expectations, then the second will be more tantalising, with points at stake and not the R2-million dangled by Coca-Cola for winning the tournament.
Both sides will be looking to remain unbeaten. Both are currently on top of the league table, separated only by goal difference.