Sundowns ready for fierce battle with Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Trott Moloto reckons he has two aces up his sleeve in the form of Benedict "Tso" Vilakazi and Lebo "Cheeseboy" Mokoena, as he gears up for Downs' Nedbank Cup quarterfinal showdown against Orlando Pirates at Durban's Absa Stadium on Sunday. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The two former Bucs midfielders, according to Moloto, will be fired up against their old club. "Vilakazi and Mokoena are my trump cards for this clash. Both are hungry and want to do well against their former team.

"I believe they will rise to the occasion and help us get into the semi-finals."

Vilakazi, who won a number of honours as captain of Pirates, said he had nothing to prove, but was a professional and was determined to help Downs not just beat Pirates, but win the Cup with Sundowns.

"I will show Pirates plenty of respect and should I score, I will not celebrate out of respect to my former team-mates," said the midfield dynamo, now playing as a second striker:

Mokoena said he had benefited from being in the Bafana Bafana training squad to both Brazil and Germany, and was happy to be back with his club.

"I've played against Pirates in the league, so this is not a new experience for me. This game is not about individuals, but team work, and that is what will see us get past Pirates."

Moloto said he was working on exposing weaknesses he spotted in Pirates' make-up, but declined to elaborate: "I am not announcing my game plan, but we had the tougher second round match against Black Leopards, which was the perfect preparation for us. We have make mistakes in that game which I have rectified."

Pirates slaughtered Vodacom League (Third Division) side Als Puk Tawana 4-0 to cruise into the last eight and are also brimming with confidence, according to coach Ruud Krol.

"We know we face a good PSL side who, like us, are hungry to end the season with a trophy, so there will be plenty of fireworks."

In today's other cup clash Free State Stars host Mpuma- langa Black Aces at QwaQwa's Charles Mopeli Stadium, also at 3pm. - Sapa