It will be only the third time that the Citizens are playing in the final.

For the reigning Premier Soccer League champions, Sundowns, it will be their first appearance in the final of the cup competition since 2016.

While it is the Brazilians' 10th final appearance, they have won the title just three times, with the last being in 2007.

The Citizens coach, Eric Tinkler, welcomes the underdog's tag, heading into the big final.

“The positive result over the weekend and the win was very important. So, this morning at training the mood was very good and you can see already how the players are responding with a positive mindset leading up to the game on the weekend.

“I think it's important for the teams to enjoy the moment. You managed to get yourselves to the final and you're playing against a very good team in Mamelodi Sundowns, who are definite favourites and we go in as the underdogs and that's a good position to be in, in my opinion, to be the underdogs.

“We will work extremely hard during the week in terms of our preparation and our planning and I'm pretty confident that the boys will want to go out there and put on a good performance come Saturday.”

Saturday's final at the Moses Mabidha Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport