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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates winger Daine Klate is delighted to be coming up against a Kaizer Chiefs team at their peak when the two clash in the MTN8 final in Durban on Saturday.
"It's two teams having a good go at each other and that's what I am looking forward to. We wouldn't like it to be a dull game," Klate said ahead of the derby final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
"We at Pirates have never shied away from anybody and when we wake up in the morning, everybody will be ready for the final. You can't predict things but the only promise we can give to fans is that we will give 100 percent and more if need be."
Saturday's top-eight conclusion will be Pirates's fifth cup final in a row. The Buccaneers lifted the Nedbank Cup trophy in May after finishing runners-up in the 2013/14 MTN8, Telkom Knockout and Caf Champions League.
Four months on from their Nedbank Cup success, the Sea Robbers are eager for more silverware.
"In the cup we have the momentum of winning and we have a winning mentality," Klate said.
The two teams meet for the fourth time in the final of the lucrative top-eight tournament, the last time being in 2011, where Oupa Manyisa scored in extra-time to hand Pirates a 1-0 victory.
Neither team have claimed the title since then, with Chiefs having waited six years.
Klate, who was a member of the 2011 winning team, said coach Vladimir Vermezovic had brought a different mentality to a team which had been used to being beaten on the big stage.
"The coach came in at a very difficult stage. Psychologically, the players weren't doing well.
"To reach the final is a big step. He came in and told us that we were doing well when the players were all looking forward to the off season."
Amakhosi are the team to beat at the moment, with nine out of nine wins -- six in the Premiership and three in the MTN8.
Pirates, although not quite as dominant, have been similarly impressive during the early stages of the new season.
Having beaten the Glamour Boys in the Carling Black Label Cup prior to the start of the season, Pirates suffered a defeat to Moroka Swallows on the opening weekend of Premiership action. However, since then, Pirates are unbeaten in seven games and head into the showdown brimming with confidence after edging out Wits for the third time over the weekend.
Equally encouraging for coach Vermezovic and his side would be a look back at the teams they have had to beat on the way to reaching the final -- where a 2-1 win over SuperSport United, was followed by a 2-0 and then 3-1 win over Wits.
