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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane hopes to make his long awaited return to action this Saturday in the highly-anticipated MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.
Fittingly, Letsholonyane's recovery from a six-week injury layoff is expected to be made in the Soweto Derby, after hurting his knee against Pirates in the exhibition Carling Black Label Cup match at the same venue in August.
He will be key, should he take the field, in helping Chiefs beat the defending champions and pocket the R8 million cheque in front of an expected sellout crowd at the near-96 000 seater venue.
"I'm glad to be back in action even though I'm not 100% fit, and it's good to be coming back to a winning team," said Letsholonyane.
"It's my second week back in full training, and the guys are refreshed for this weekend after the break that we had (for international fixtures).
"Playing Pirates is always special. We can play them every day of the week but the edge of the derby is always going to be there."
This will be Amakhosi's first of two clashes in as many weeks against Pirates as they play the Buccaneers in the league next Saturday to add to the two pre-season meetings.
Letsholonyane, however, did not expect to walk into the settled team that had won all three of their league matches with youngster Lucky Baloyi and Tinashe Nengomasha in the middle of the park.
"I have to earn my way back to the team because you can't break a winning formula," he said.
"This is about team work and I'd like to lift this trophy with my team-mates, whether coach Vladimir Vermezovic let's me start or not."
Letsholonyane's recovery, meanwhile, also spelt good news for Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, with "Yeye" having missed the national side's trip to Niamey to play Niger in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this past weekend.
Bafana were depleted by a number of crucial injuries ahead of their sojourn, and lost 2-1 to the hosts, who took top spot in Group G with a match to go.
South Africa have to beat Sierra Leone at home next month and hope that Niger either lose or draw to Egypt away.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing that one can do with injuries," Letsholonyane said.
"They are always expected, but the result was a setback.
"I'll speak to some of the guys on Tuesday about the game but it all now depends on our final game and I believe we can still do it even though we also rely on another result."
