Makhehleni Makhaula fired up for Nedbank Cup humdinger

This will be the second cup final meeting between the two teams this season after Pirates beat Sundowns in a penalty shootout in the MTN8 final earlier this season.

Makhaula says what makes this game even more interesting is that it’s a clash between the league champions and runners-up.

"I think, for me, these teams in the final are there not by mistake but by their hard work, and they've showcased in the league that they can do well," said Makhaula.

"Unfortunately for us, we are number two and they are number one – for us, we did a great job by winning our games in the league and cup, and obviously they will be the favourites of the fans, odds, and everything.

"But I think it's going be a very good game for all South Africans to watch."

The last time these two teams met was immediately after the AFCON break earlier this year, a fiercely contested game saw Pirates finish the game with 10-men.

Despite this, they managed to secure a one-all draw, and Makhaula expects another intense battle in this highly anticipated finale of the 2023/2024 season.

"I think you're going to see that [same intensity] – it's special, it's a do-or-die [match] and no one wants to sit back – if Sundowns score, we also want to score two, then it's really going to be an entertaining game," he promised.

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