University of Pretoria and Mamelodi Sundowns will contest the first MultiChoice Diski Challenge final at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto on Saturday.
Tuks reached the final after they edged SuperSport United 3-2 on penalties in their semifinal match that ended 1-all after extra time.
They had beaten Orlando Pirates 5-2 in the quarterfinal at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, with Denver Mukamba netting twice.
Sundowns defeated Mpumalanga Black Aces 2-1 in their semifinal clash in Port Elizabeth, where veteran Lebohang Mokoena scored a brace.
In the quarterfinals, the young Brazilians overcame Polokwane City 2-0 with the goals coming from debutants Katlego Babile and Tshepo Ntlaba.
The winners of the Diski Challenge will also be rewarded with a coveted eight-day trip to Netherlands, where they will be involved in a eight-day training camp and also play friendly matches will selected sides of the Dutch league (Eredivisie).
“Now we are in the final, anything can happen. We want to give ourselves a chance to go to Netherlands, they (Sundowns) want to give themselves a chance to go to Netherlands. It’s how we are going to respond when the game develops, I’m hoping that we will be on our toes and then go with the changes of the game throughout," Tuks' coach Sly Mosala said.
“But we want to go there and create enough chances to win the game. And give ourselves a chance to go there. It’s there, why must we back off? We worked hard to be where we are, so I think if the chance is there, let’s see. If it’s there for a taking, let’s take it, get ourselves a free trip to Netherlands to go and get exposure. And then experience different football life," he concluded.
Sundowns' coach Alex Bapela also revealed that his players are motivated for the final.
“All the players are happy, the boys are bringing in passports, they are excited about going to Europe. Everything is just pointing to Holland, so I don’t think they will want to disappoint on the day .Hopefully by the end of 90 minutes on Saturday we will be on our way to Holland.
"You know, I was lucky because in all the games that we played, the quarterfinals and the semifinals they were playing before us and every game I made sure that I sit on the stands and watch them play. And I saw their game against Pirates, I saw their game against SuperSport United, I know much about them," said Bapela.
RECORDS
Apart from chasing the record of being the first to lift the trophy, their is other records that can be broken in the final.
The Tuks' duo Botshelo Mfulwane and Denver Mukamba as well as Sundowns' Ntandeyenkosi Ngubane are on three goals, two behind the tournament's top scorer Mothusi Gopane, who last played in the group stages and moved to SuperSport.
Also chasing the record is SuperSport's Ryan Chapman, who is on four goals, he will also fancy his chances if he plays in the third place playoff. Darren Lurie from Aces is also on three goals, which makes their match interesting.
There is also the highest scoring team record to aim for, Polokwane currently hold the record with 16 goals. The four teams in action this weekend are all close, Tuks and Aces are on 15, Sundowns scored 14 while SuperSport have 13.
The final will start at 12pm after the 3rd and 4th place playoff between SuperSport and Aces which kicksoff at 10am.
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