With just a day to go until the the kick-off of the 2016 MTN8 final, the battle lines have been drawn and it is Tshwane vs Johannesburg as The Clever Boys clash with The Brazilians tomorrow.
You know when there is too much on your plate you struggle to eat it
all? I think, quite possibly, that could be the case for Mamelodi Sundowns right now. Their quality is undeniable, but they may be stretched too thin.
Much has been made about their hectic schedule and whilst they go into the game tomorrow having enjoyed a seven day break - such spells of inactivity have been a rarity for them.
We've seen evidence of the side beginning to split at the seams in recent weeks and winning a massive game against quality opposition without what we may deem to be the requisite preparation and rest may be a bridge too far.
Thus, all things considered, I feel safer putting my money on Wits tomorrow - a side whose players have been afforded the chance to have a proper break in the off-season and a less taxing start to the current campaign.
Whilst it may seem like I'm purely citing Sundowns' scheduling difficulties as the basis of my prediction, there are many compelling reasons why the Clever Boys will triumph.
Yes, silverware has been hard to come by for the Braam-based outfit but 2016 may just be their year - the universe (or the powers that be) have seemingly colluded in their favour and the upper hand seems to be theirs.
Apart from receiving the rub of the green as far as scheduling goes, Gavin Hunt has assembled an enviable squad this season and by all indications the new additions have been the missing cogs in a machine that was, in all honesty, already formidable.
Gabadinho Mhango has been a revelation this season, brilliantly complimented by a clever three-man midfield that includes Daine Klate, Xola Mlambo and Thabang Monare (the latter two having taken to the Wits system like ducks to water).
There is little doubt the trio will have a significant task on their hands this weekend to cope with the quality that Masandawana possess but on the evidence of this season, although admittedly still in its infancy, they will give a good account of themselves.
Klate, as the elder statesmen, will be especially instrumental in bringing much needed experience to the table as he searches for the 11th winner's medal of his career.
Could it then all boil down to which defence steps up on the day? Don't they say 'goals win games, defence wins titles'? Yes, admittedly it's an adage characteristically used to describe what is required over the duration of a league season - but I believe it is apt in tomorrow's context.
The defence is the area that will win it for Wits (they haven't conceded for over 400 minutes) and barring any unexpected injuries we should see a very familiar looking backline.
With 'CBD' temporarily disengaged will Sundowns have enough to breach that defence? Has fatigue started to take its toll on the yellow-clad contingent of players. Will their stars have an eye on the CAF Champions League final legs in October? Will they readily go into a 50/50 with Thulani Hlatshwayo with so much still at stake in the next month?
There is plenty that may preoccupy the Sundowns players whilst staring them down from the other side of the park will be a group of Wits players with a singular focus - win the MTN8 crown.
With all that being said, good luck to both sides. Let us hope for a
clean game and a great spectacle and may the best team win!
The air of belief enveloping the tall walls that surround Mamelodi Sundowns' base in Chloorkop of late is genuinely refreshing and speaks of a club that knows almost too well that they will achieve on their targets – the latest of which is bringing home the MTN8.
For the last three weeks, visits to Chloorkop have left me convinced that Sundowns is now a club driving in its own lane when compared to all other clubs that belong in the domestic league, Bidvest Wits included.
What else? It is also no secret that the heartbeat of a winning team is in the camaraderie shared by the players. When Denis Onyango told a joke about Wayne Arendse not stressing about Bafana Bafana failing to qualify for AFCON finals, because he is from Cape Town, the former Santos defender nodded his head in laughter.
Next up was Keagan Dolly passing a greeting in Khama Billiat's home language – much to the surprise of many that were around. Even the normally reserved Asavela Mbekile was spotted in discussion with the non-English speaking duo of Yannick Zakri and Ricardo Nascimento – just wonder what language they were communicating in? That spoke of a team that is united in the quest to keep pushing for success.
Is there more? With the MTN8 being the only trophy that Pitso Mosimane has yet to deliver to Chloorkop, since taking over just weeks before Christmas in 2012, this will definitely be a trophy that he wants to add on to complete a collection of all domestic silverware.
Mosimane knows all too well that by lifting the MTN8 he will have warmed up properly for the big trophy that he has been craving for – the CAF Champions League, scheduled for later on in the month.
The Brazilians are a team in a good space, a lot like that colleague at work who can still afford to eat take away meals thrice a day, three days before pay day, fill the tank of his car and boast a bank balance stretching to the thousands. That's not all, though.
Is there any need to make mention of the array of options available for Sundowns in attack? All I know is that Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi will sleep for much longer hours than they usually do on Saturday night, because Billiat, Dolly, Zakri, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Anthony Laffor and Percy Tau will make them work overtime. Enough talking for now... The Sky is the Limit!
Kick-off of the clash is at 17h00.