Battle lines drawn between Sundowns and Magesi for Carling crown

Mamelodi Sundowns and Magesi FC will be aiming to become Carling Knockout Cup Champions on Saturday.

The two top-flight teams will lock horns in the second cup final of the season at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.

And it’s a David and Goliath affair with the multiple premiership champions Sundowns hoping to end their Carling Cup drought against the newcomers.

However, Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi have enormous respect for Magesi coach Clinton Larsen.

“He is trying to find the best possible solutions to deal with what everybody thinks is the favourite and he has always done very well. I have shared the stories with the players, I want them to know that they are not just playing with any other coach. When he was at Bloemfontein Celtic, in one of our first season he took us out of the MTN8.”

Magesi have been the surprise package of the season thus far. They eliminated Orlando Pirates, TS Galaxy and Richards Bay en route to the final.

Sundowns’ defender Mosa Lebusa says they will not underestimate the Limpopo team.

“It would be suicidal for us to think that they are a small team. I think them being in the final speaks volume, so we have to give them respect and we have to acknowledge that they have done well to reach the final.”

The final will be played in a football-mad city of Bloemfontein at the Toyota Stadium.

Sundowns’ midfielder Lebohang Maboe is expecting a capacity crowd.

“I think Bloem like the atmosphere is just different. They sing from the beginning of the game until the end we even saw during our last game against Gallants playing in such a packed stadium gives you goosebumps. It’s always a nice feeling to have.”