Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena is expecting a “very difficult” match when they come up against Eric Tinkler’s Cape Town City side in the MTN8 final this Saturday.

The Brazilians will be the away side when they take on the Citizens for the top-eight title at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The last time Sundowns won the trophy was in 2007 when it was known as the ‘SAA Supa8’, but Mokwena is confident that they can go all the way and lift the only piece of silverware that has eluded them over the years.

“We expect a very difficult match against a very good side. When you speak of preparations and analysis, you look at two facets: the one is from a personnel aspect, of course. My opinion is that Cape Town City probably have close to the most complete side in relation to personnel, they have specialists in every position and very good players,” Mokwena told his club’s official website.

He added: “We’ve also got a lot of very good players that will be on the pitch and they will help us to dominate possession and look to influence the game our way and play it the way we want it to be played.

“We come into it with players that are on form and playing very well. [Themba Zwane] Mshishi, Andile Jali and Rivaldo Coetzee are playing well, all our centre halves have come in, Brian Onyango has done very well when called upon.

“We have the option of having Ricardo Nascimento, who’s ready now for local matches, and Mosa Lebusa has been stable, Denis Onyango is playing exceptionally well, Khuliso Mudau has been exceptional in the last three matches.

“[There’s] Lyle Lakay who’s been consistent, a huge influence on set pieces and open play and creating opportunities, then, of course, Peter Shalulile, Kermit Erasmus, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Pavol Safranko are in good moments at this point in time in the season. We feel also that the final has come at a good time and we feel very confident going into what will be a very difficult game,” he concluded.