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Johannesburg - After 10.5 million votes received from the supporters, history is ready to be made on Saturday afternoon in the inaugural Carling Black Label Cup featuring Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
For the first time ever in the game, this competition required the fans to be the "coach" on the day and vote for the players they wanted to see in action in the country's top fixture at the 94 500 seating Nasrec venue.
There were some interesting choices from the both sets of supporters.
Malawian busy striker Chiukepo Msowoya came from the fringes of coach Julio Leal's selection to partner Bongani Ndulula at Pirates.
Surprisingly, speedy winger and fan favourite Tlou Segolela misses out on a starting berth.
At Chiefs, sparingly used Lucky Khune – younger brother to goalkeeper Itumeleng – will play alongside S'thembiso Ngcobo up front.
Ngcobo is another player who has battled to find a spot in coach Vladimir Vermezovic's starting berth.
Striker Knowledge Musona officially signed a five-year contract with German club, Hoffenheim on Wednesday.
Its in defence where the Phefeni Glamour side will be tested with Jimmy Tau not expected to feature with an Achilles injury while Tlou Molekwane shifts from right to left back with Punch Masenamela having been sold to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Replacing Tau is Tefu Mashamaite, who is set to get his first start since joining from Bidvest Wits in the off-season.
Josta Dladla and Siphiwe Tshabalala will be in the middle of the park ahead of regulars, Tinashe Nengomasha and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
Dladla said that he was looking forward to the challenge of lining up against Pirates' treble-winning midfield pair of Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali.
"The competition has generated so much excitement, and the players are looking forward to it," he said.
"I think we need to o out there and play some entertaining football for the fans."
Despite the added spice to the Soweto derby, Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi maintained that the match was far from an exhibition and that his Buccaneers team still treasured aiming to topple Amakhosi in any competition.
"The supporters have selected their team, it's their opinion and we as the players are determined to go out there and make them happy," said Lekgwathi.
"I know some people see this match as a friendly or an exhibition game because it has been selected by the fans, but having played a lot of derbies, I have warned my teammates that there's no friendly or playing for fun against Chiefs.
"They have taken my word seriously and they are ready for war, against Chiefs its all about pride at stake."
Also on the day, one fan from Pirates and Chiefs will each walk away with R1 Million that is all part of the day's festivities.
The match starts at 3pm.
Starting teams (votes in brackets):
Pirates: Moeneeb Josephs (761 622) ; Happy Jele (320 897), Lucky Lekgwathi (212 709), Rooi Mahamutsa (240 921), Reuben Cloete (180 350); Thulasizwe Mbuyane (148 859), Oupa Manyisa (209 353), Andile Jali (152 384), Mark Mayambela (269 678); Bongani Ndulula (313 978), Chiukepo Msowoya (122 853).
Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune (1 485 083); Tefu Mashamaite (615 245) ,Thomas
Sweswe (271 106) , Dominic Isaacs (165 793), Tlou Molekwane (168 926) ; Mandla
Masango (222 409) , Josta Dladla (366 174) , Siphiwe Tshabalala (201 908), Abia
Nale (314 358) ; Lucky Khune (187 601) , Sthembiso Ngcobo (194 334).
