Mamelodi Sundowns seek Nedbank Cup joy

Sundowns will also be aware that a win at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon – which will also be the first trophy for their Dutch coach Johan Neeskens at Downs – will also bring to an end a frustrating four-year trophy drought.

Downs meet Tshwane neighbours SuperSport United in the country's national knockout cup, which will also bring an end to the 2011/12 season.

The Brazilians – who are already the only team to reach the final twice under the Nedbank banner – were the winners of the premier knockout cup when the banking company took over from Absa in 2008.

That 2008 success came via a late strike by Lerato Chabangu at Johannesburg Stadium over a plucky Mpumalanga Black Aces.

Since that 2008 cup final victory the closest that Sundowns have come to winning another trophy was in the MTN8 Final that was played later on that year, which they lost on penalties to Kaizer Chiefs.

Then two years ago Downs had another decent run in the Nedbank Cup before being elbowed out in the last four by AmaZulu.

Besides these two runs Sundowns have not got anywhere close to silverware in the last four years, which is why they will be so desperate to make this particular final in Orlando count.

On Saturday it will be four years and two days to the day since Sundowns tasted glory when Michael Manzini lifted the last piece of silverware that found its way to Chloorkop.

Only Esrom Nyandoro and Surprise Moriri have survived of the Sundowns team that played on that May 24, 2008 afternoon and the two veteran midfielders are expected to start yet again on Saturday.

And since that success of four years when Trott Moloto was in charge Sundowns have also had Henri Michel, Ted Dumitru, Hristo Stoichkov, Antoni Lopez Habas, Ian Gorowa take charge of the dressing-room before current boss Johan Neeskens' arrival.

In just four years Sundowns have had seven men in charge proving just how unstable they have been since they last won silverware.

Besides the success of 2008 Sundowns have only ever won the country's premier knockout competition twice back in 1998 when it was sponsored by Rothmans and in 1986 when it was known as the Mainstay Cup.