In what is a repeat of last year’s MTN8 final, SuperSport United and Cape Town City will battle it out at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday and SportsClub writer DEAN WORKMAN explores five reasons why Matsatsantsa will reign supreme.

Both United and City are deserved finalists after overcoming top quality opposition to reach the showpiece event.

READ: Why CT City will win the MTN8 final

Kaitano Tembo’s team, who are looking to become the first team to defend the top 8 competition in its current form since Orlando Pirates in 2010/2011, started their title defence with a tightly contested clash against the Buccaneers.

SuperSport eventually triumphed on penalties after a 2-2 draw to book a semi-final spot against the another Soweto giant, Kaizer Chiefs.

Matsatsantsa again rose to the occasion in the two-legged semi-final, playing out to a 2-2 draw at home before a 1-0 victory at the FNB Stadium sealed a spot in the final.

Benni McCarthy, who is looking to slay the demons of last year’s MTN8 final defeat to lift his first trophy as a coach, did not have a simple route to the final either.

The Citizens overcame a spirited Maritzburg United side 1-0 to seal a semi-final berth against league champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

McCarthy’s men beat the Brazilians 1-0 in Cape Town, before a reversed score-line in Sundowns favour in Pretoria saw the tie decided on penalties. It was City’s Dutch goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh who proved to be the hero, saving two spot kicks to send his team to the final.

1) SuperSport’s strikers in red-hot form

In Bradley Grobler, Evans Rusikie and James Keene, Tembo is spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting his forwards for the final. With Fagrie Lakay expected to play down the right flank, Rusikie down the left and Grobler likely to edge Keene to the number nine role, SuperSport have a quartet of players all in fine form.

Grobler has shone in the MTN8, after providing an assist against Pirates while scoring all three goals against Chiefs, while Rusikie has been arguably the standout player for United scoring five goals while providing three assists across all competitions.

New signing Keene, who will likely play a role off the bench, has also found his scoring boots after making the move from Bidvest Wits. Keene bagged a brace in his side’s 4-0 league triumph over Black Leopards and will be looking to carry that form into the final.

Whoever Tembo may select to fill his forward roles, one thing is for certain, SuperSport will pose a serious goal threat.

2) Big game experience

SuperSport United have developed the reputation as South Africa’s new cup kings in recent years.

After winning the Telkom Knockout in 2014, Matsatsantsa went on to win the Nedbank Cup in 2016 and then became the first team to defend their crown in that competition in 2017.

The team from Pretoria, of course, are the defending MTN8 Champions, and being able to draw on the experiences and emotions of winning last year’s final in the same stadium against the very same opposition could provide them with a vital edge over City.

READ MORE: PSL is unpredictable, it suits me – Leeuwenburgh

3) Williams’ penalty shoot-out prowess could prove vital

In Ronwen Williams United have arguably the best penalty saving goalkeeper in South African football.

‘We knew if we could hold on, Ronwen will get us the trophy,’ those were the words of former SuperSport coach Eric Tinkler after Williams’ heroics won the title last year.

To have a goalkeeper who is renowned for saving spot-kicks is certainly an advantage going into a final which could go all the way. With Williams between the sticks, SuperSport will have that added confidence, while the City players who failed to beat him last season will undoubtedly be keen to avoid a shoot-out.

4) City’s league inconsistencies

While McCarthy’s men have impressed in the MTN8, their league form will worry coach McCarthy.

The Citizens have only won one of their opening six matches, drawing three while losing two as they sit in 11th spot on the log.

Although the City coach will undoubtedly look to put aside their league form from his player’s minds, the fact that they have been so inconsistent this season ― while SuperSport have won four and lost only two of their opening six games ― will certainly provide the former Bafana striker with concern while Tembo will be optimistic.

5) City’s injuries and suspensions

Cape Town City’s rock at the centre of defence Taariq Fielies will be unavailable after he picked up a red card during their 4-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on 15 September and is serving a three-game ban.

Fielies has been so impressive this season not just in his defensive duties, but he has also proved to be a threat from set-pieces, scoring the winner against Sundowns in the semi-final first leg.

City may not have any players out with injuries, but a number of key players including midfield duo Roland Putsche and Thabo Nodada have recently missed games through injury.

Now while they will look to be fit for the showpiece occasion, they may just be slightly off the pace of SuperSport’s midfielders, who have built a continuity among themselves in the middle of the park.

With the midfield battle so important in a final, any slight advantage or disadvantage could make the difference.

READ MORE: Winning the MTN8 final would be great for Benni – Fielies

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix